Also means
to undermine, to mar
Usage Note
Empañar literally means to cause a surface (glass, mirror) to mist over or become cloudy. Figuratively it means to cloud or tarnish a reputation, achievement, or moment — empañar la victoria (to mar the victory). The reflexive empañarse describes the surface itself fogging: el espejo se empañó con el vapor (the mirror steamed up). Do not confuse with empanar (to coat in breadcrumbs).
Examples
"El vapor empañó el espejo del baño."
Natural Translation
The steam fogged up the bathroom mirror.
Related Words
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