tainted

adjective

taint·​ed ˈtān-təd 

: altered from a pure state or condition: such as

a

: contaminated by or as if by dirt, impurities, or harmful organisms

tainted food

Nearby residents typically want every shovelful of tainted soil dug up and shipped far, far away.

—Gregg Easterbrook

… federal health authorities identified an organic produce company … as a possible source of some of the tainted spinach.

—Julia Preston et al.

Viruses are often passed along to other computers via tainted files …

—J. D. Biersdorfer

b

: corrupted morally or ethically

a tainted victory

c

: damaged or spoiled by alteration from a correct or original state or form

tainted evidence

tainted testimony

Synonyms of tainted

• polluted
• contaminated
• diluted
• thinned
• dilute
• adulterated
• mixed
• blended

Examples of tainted in a Sentence

tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink

Recent Examples on the Web

The mother of a 30-year-old teacher in Oklahoma is blaming a restaurant’s tainted margarita for her daughter’s unexpected death. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025

The British government recently added eight countries to its list of travel warnings related to the risk of methanol poisoning from tainted alcohol. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Striking cinematography, sharp dialogue, and standout performances from twin brothers Luke and Elliott Tittensor make Hudson’s feature debut a riveting journey through the tainted minds of men at war. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025

Elisabeth believes a tainted strain of marijuana led to his schizophrenia, saying there is no other genetic history. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tainted

• fainted
• painted
• sainted
• acquainted
• attainted
• repainted
• unpainted
• untainted
• unacquainted