verb to damage or tarnish the reputation or purity of something
In literature, 'sully' can be used to describe the tarnishing or staining of someone's reputation or character.
In aviation, 'sully' can refer to the act of causing damage to an aircraft, such as by bird strikes or other external factors.
In film, 'sully' is commonly associated with the movie 'Sully', which is based on the true story of Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger who successfully landed a plane on the Hudson River.
In nautical terms, 'sully' can refer to the act of making something dirty or impure, such as water or a surface on a ship.
In the aviation industry, 'sully' is often used as a verb to refer to the act of damaging or tarnishing a pilot's reputation or record, especially in reference to Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger who safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River.
In the legal profession, 'sully' may be used to describe the act of tarnishing someone's reputation or character in court proceedings or through defamation.
Politicians may use 'sully' to describe attempts by opponents to damage their reputation or credibility through negative campaigning or smear tactics.