Meaning of "tarnishing" in English

"Tarnishing" refers to the process by which a surface, usually metallic, loses its luster or shine, often due to chemical reactions with elements like oxygen or sulfur. This process forms a dull layer on the surface, compromising its sheen and visual appeal. Tarnishing is often associated with metals like silver, which lose their sparkle over time when exposed to air or certain substances. Beyond the physical realm, "tarnishing" is also used metaphorically to describe the diminishing of reputation or standing, often due to negative associations or actions.

Meaning of "ternissement" in French

In French, "ternissement" refers to the same phenomenon of a surface becoming dull or losing its shine, typically due to oxidation or exposure to harmful environmental conditions. This term is commonly applied to metals and can also describe the moral or reputational decline of an individual or entity. Much like in English, "ternissement" carries both literal and figurative meanings, emphasizing the loss of initial brightness or brilliance, whether in physical objects or in abstract contexts like reputation.

Pronunciation of "tarnishing" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈtɑːrnɪʃɪŋ/

Pronunciation Variations: While the standard pronunciation of "tarnishing" remains fairly consistent, there might be slight variations in intonation and emphasis based on regional accents in the English-speaking world, such as American, British, or Australian English.

Pronunciation of "ternissement" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /tɛʁ.nis.mɑ̃/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "ternissement" is generally uniform across French-speaking regions. However, subtle accent differences may occur, especially in regions like Quebec, but these do not significantly affect the understanding of the word.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. The silverware is tarnishing due to lack of proper care.
    (L'argenterie se ternit en raison du manque de soins appropriés.)

  2. His reputation is tarnishing quickly because of the scandal.
    (Sa réputation se ternit rapidement à cause du scandale.)

  3. The old mirror's surface is slowly tarnishing.
    (La surface du vieux miroir se ternit lentement.)

  4. The artist worried about his legacy tarnishing over time.
    (L'artiste s'inquiétait que son héritage se ternisse avec le temps.)

  5. Her once vibrant necklace is tarnishing and dulling.
    (Son collier autrefois vibrant se ternit et s'affadit.)

  6. Public opinion of the company started tarnishing after the controversy.
    (L'opinion publique de l'entreprise a commencé à se ternir après la controverse.)

  7. The brass fixtures are tarnishing and need polishing.
    (Les accessoires en laiton se ternissent et ont besoin d'être polis.)

  8. Critics accused the politician of tarnishing the country's image.
    (Les critiques ont accusé le politicien de ternir l'image du pays.)

  9. The historical artifact is tarnishing despite efforts to preserve it.
    (L'artéfact historique se ternit malgré les efforts pour le préserver.)

  10. Constant exposure to moisture is tarnishing the metal finish.
    (L'exposition constante à l'humidité ternit la finition métallique.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "tarnishing" in English

Synonyms: dulling, staining, marring, discoloring, soiling, corroding, tainting, blackening, smudging, fading.

Antonyms: polishing, shining, enhancing, brightening, cleaning, clarifying, purifying, illuminating, renovating, glazing.

Similar Words: blemishing, clouding, spoiling, messing, impairing, damaging, degrading, degrading, smearing, sullying.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "ternissement" in French

Synonyms: opacification, affadissement, corrosion, décoloration, salissure, noircissement, détérioration, avilissement, souillure, salisabilité.

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: -

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