Soiled

The term 'soiled' refers to something that has been made dirty, stained, or tarnished, often through contact with dirt, filth, or other substances. It can describe physical items, such as clothing or surfaces, which show visible signs of contamination, as well as metaphorical uses that pertain to tarnished reputations or moral cleanliness. The process of soiling denotes an alteration from a previously clean or pure state to one that is contaminated or sullied.

Soiled meaning with examples

• After a long day at the park, the children returned home with their faces soiled from playing in the dirt and their clothes stained with grass. Their laughter echoed in the sunlit air, but their mother could only shake her head and prepare for the inevitable bath. Knowing she would have to scrub those grass stains out later, she couldn't help but smile at their joy despite the mess they brought home.
• The old library, once a place of reverence filled with ancient books, had fallen into disrepair, with dust and cobwebs soiling the spines of the neglected volumes. As I walked through the aisles, I felt a sense of sadness over the loss of knowledge, the once pristine pages now yellowed and crumbling, a reflection of how time and neglect can soil even the most treasured spaces, rendering them almost unrecognizable.
• The politician's reputation was soiled beyond repair after the scandal involving corruption and deceit was revealed. Once viewed as a pillar of integrity, he faced intense public scrutiny and backlash, leading to his eventual resignation. The very values he claimed to uphold were now visibly tarnished, showcasing how quickly circumstances can shift and how actions can leave a permanent stain on one's character.
• Her once white dress was now soiled after accidentally stepping into a puddle on the way to the event. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her as her friends noticed the unsightly mark. Despite her attempts to wipe it away, the evidence of her misstep would linger, symbolizing how one small mistake could overshadow an otherwise perfect evening, reflecting the fragility of appearances.