taint

verb

\ˈtānt

tainted; tainting; taints

Definition of taint

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to contaminate morally : corrupt scholarship tainted by envy

2 : to affect with putrefaction : spoil

3 : to touch or affect slightly with something bad persons tainted with prejudice

intransitive verb

1 : to become affected with putrefaction : spoil

2 obsolete : to become weak

taint

noun

Definition of taint (Entry 2 of 2)

: a contaminating mark or influence the taint of scandal

Other Words from taint Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about taint

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Synonyms & Antonyms for taint

Synonyms: Verb

befoul, contaminate, defile, foul, poison, pollute

Synonyms: Noun

blot, brand, slur, smirch, smudge, spot, stain, stigma

Antonyms: Verb

decontaminate, purify

Choose the Right Synonym for taint

Verb

contaminate, taint, pollute, defile mean to make impure or unclean. contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source. water contaminated by industrial wastes taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination. tainted meat a politician's tainted reputation pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy. the polluted waters of the river defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration. defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

Examples of taint in a Sentence

Verb

criticism of her sister's singing that was tainted by envy a tendency toward conceitedness taints that athlete's status as a role model

Noun

that rare political campaign that wasn't marred by the taint of false accusations

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Most of the players tainted by accusations of steroid use have never apologized for, much less admitted to, any transgressions. — SI.com, "Exiled by the Cubs, Sammy Sosa Is Enjoying the Life He Wants You to See," 27 June 2018 With the partial exception of Mexico, domestic leagues reflect many of the region’s ills: they are often poorly financed, tainted by corruption and feature violent clashes between rival fans. — The Economist, "Latin America searches for redemption on the football pitch," 21 June 2018 An Arizona federal court jury awarded a family nearly $2 million in damages after their toddler experienced a brain injury from a Foster Farms chicken tainted by salmonella. — Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Family Wins $1.9 Million Lawsuit After Salmonella Infected From Chicken Almost Kills Toddler," 15 June 2018 No longer at the service of a hammer tainted by his father’s sin and hypocrisy, Thor uses science and magic to define worthiness. — Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "The Boundless Potential of Thor," 6 May 2018 McCaskill is vulnerable, as evidenced by her approval rating, but a state GOP tainted by scandal would be a big boost to her chances. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "The 10 toughest Senate elections for Democrats in 2018," 30 Apr. 2018 Evidence tainted by violation of attorney-client privilege cannot be used. — WSJ, "The Cohen Raid and Attorney-Client Privilege," 17 Apr. 2018 Many migrants blame the Honduran president, who won a second term in November through an election tainted by accusations of fraud, with creating the political upheaval and economic crisis that has rocked the country under his presidency. — Daniel González, azcentral, "Trump 'just used us': Caravan migrants face uncertainty after warm welcome in Mexico City," 9 Apr. 2018 As Circuit Judge Timothy Doory approved another round of motions to undo criminal convictions tainted by the corrupt Baltimore Police Gun Trace Task Force, one stood out. — Justin Fenton, baltimoresun.com, "More Baltimore Police Gun Trace Task Force convictions overturned, including man who maintained his innocence," 6 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Petro’s anti-corruption platform and his unconventional path into politics helps him avoid the taint that falls on establishment politicians. — Ian Bremmer, Time, "5 Reasons Why Right-Wing Senator Ivan Duque Is Likely to Win Colombia's Presidential Election," 1 June 2018 That group, known as a taint team, would then do their own review of the remaining materials to determine which were privileged. — Alan Feuer, New York Times, "Judge Orders Document Review in Cohen Case to End Next Week," 26 June 2018 In Vinous, critic Antonio Galloni addresses a question that’s been on all of our minds: Will smoke taint be a major issue in Napa Valley wines from the 2017 vintage? — Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, "Signs of new life in California vineyards," 21 June 2018 There is the taint of stigma and a reticence to talk openly about this kind of reproductive loss. — Tara Shafer, Redbook, "I Lost a Baby at 33 Weeks — Now I'm Fighting to Spare Others the Same Pain," 19 June 2018 Would the taint last for the entirety of his administration? — Cristian Farias, Daily Intelligencer, "In the Travel-Ban Case, Supreme Court Seems Ready to Let Trump Be Trump," 25 Apr. 2018 These clergy and parishioners dismissed the humanitarian act of rescuing Jews — which was also undeniably political — as a course best avoided by a church that perceived itself above the taint of worldly affairs. — Rabbi Dan Fink, idahostatesman, "Neutrality is not a moral option | Idaho Statesman," 21 Apr. 2018 Under the procedure, the taint team would turn over to the case investigators all the material that is relevant and not covered by attorney-client privilege. — BostonGlobe.com, "Attorney for Trump lawyer Michael Cohen says Cohen performed secret legal work for Fox News commentator Sean Hannity," 17 Apr. 2018 The judge can also use a special master to do what the taint team would do. — Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY, "Attorney-client privilege: It's all over the news but how does it work?," 17 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'taint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.