Word Games Pro Dictionary

defile

noun verb

a narrow pass (especially one between mountains)

Quick reference

Word Facts

Word length
6
Starts with
D
Ends with
E
Contains
EFIL
Scrabble score
10
Database source
OEWN 2025 Core

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Meaning

Definitions

noun

  1. a narrow pass (especially one between mountains)

verb

  1. spot, stain, or pollute

    “The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it”

verb

  1. make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically

    “The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air”

verb

  1. place under suspicion or cast doubt upon

    “sully someone's reputation”

In context

Example Sentences

The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it
The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air
Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
sully someone's reputation

Similar words

Synonyms

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