as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
a false accusation that nonetheless tarnished her reputation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tarnish
Owner-chairman Tony Bloom’s worldwide data bank has helped Brighton make some shrewd deals, but has their strong trading reputation been tarnished during the first two years of Hurzeler’s reign?
—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
Throughout this process, innocent people had their reputations unfairly tarnished.
—
Janelle Ash , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Throughout this process, innocent people had their reputations unfairly tarnished.
—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
12 June 2026
District Attorney Gary Pasqua stated that Snow admitted to plotting a scheme to tarnish SUNY Potsdam's reputation, intending to harm a former co-worker, who was employed at the school at the time, by randomly targeting one of its students.
—
Corin Cesaric,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
Throughout this process, innocent people had their reputations unfairly tarnished.
—
Janelle Ash , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Throughout this process, innocent people had their reputations unfairly tarnished.
—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
12 June 2026
District Attorney Gary Pasqua stated that Snow admitted to plotting a scheme to tarnish SUNY Potsdam's reputation, intending to harm a former co-worker, who was employed at the school at the time, by randomly targeting one of its students.
—
Corin Cesaric,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnish
Verb
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District Court Judge Tony Graf ordered measures to prevent the comments by Utah County prosecutor Christopher Ballard from tainting potential jurors should the case go to trial.
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Attorneys on both sides have raised concerns that the misinformation and extensive media attention could taint the potential jury pool.
Verb
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Jacob Whitehead Homophobic chant mars Mexico’s win Before the World Cup, the Mexican football federation launched a campaign that featured the heroes of the country’s 1986 World Cup side.
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Starmer is leaving after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public.
Verb
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Outside the Lineage warehouse Thursday morning, the smell of heavy smoke was already being replaced with that of spoiling food and filthy water.
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Against Australia in the last 16, Argentina were again labouring when faced with an inferior opponent, digging in and determined to spoil their World Cup dreams.
Verb
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Prosecutors said a boxcutter stained with what appeared to be blood was found in the car, and there were also possible bloodstains found on the steering wheel and exterior door.
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At the site, an Associated Press reporter saw rubble and chunks of concrete stained with blood.
Verb
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The summer blockbuster, which premieres June 26, will follow Supergirl's three-day mission to obtain a cure for her superdog and friend, Krypto, who is poisoned by villainous alien Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).
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Last year, harmful algae blooming off Southern California poisoned hundreds of dolphins and sea lions off Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties, causing strandings along popular beaches.
Verb
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Today, the skies seem to be darkening once again.
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One brush fire from the summer storm then split into two, and the raging flames sent plumes of black smoke upward, darkening the skies for miles and fouling the air.
Cite this Entry
“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnish. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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