[verb] - to make or (esp. of metal) become less bright or a different colourSilver tarnishes easily and turns black if not polished regularly. [I](figurative) By this time a series of scandals had effectively tarnished (= spoiled) the leader's image/reputation. [T]
TARNISH
Meaning of TARNISH in English
Cambridge English vocab. Кембриджский английский словарь. 2012