as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
that rare political campaign that wasn't marred by the taint of false accusations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to poison
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
criticism of her sister's singing that was tainted by envy a tendency toward conceitedness taints the athlete's status as a role model
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
smog has long tainted the air of the city, making it difficult to breathe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of taint
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
Take care not to touch the glands, or your hands will carry their taint to the meat.
—Maurice H. Decker, Outdoor Life, 17 Sep. 2025
CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
That experience is quickly tainted, however, once dullness and yellowing set into the fabrics.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taint
Noun
The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
Take care not to touch the glands, or your hands will carry their taint to the meat.
—Maurice H. Decker, Outdoor Life, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
Luigi Mangione's lawyers contend that Attorney General Pam Bondi's decision to seek the death penalty against him in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was tainted by her prior work as a lobbyist at a firm that represented the insurer's parent company.
—CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
That experience is quickly tainted, however, once dullness and yellowing set into the fabrics.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taint
Noun
-
The enamel coating and lid seal in moisture and flavor to make your best recipes taste even better, and the coating is both non-toxic and resistant to stains.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Clean trash can spills or stains right away so odors don’t linger.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For part of the trial of El Chapo, the city shut down the Brooklyn Bridge; his lawyers tried to move the proceedings to Philadelphia, because the jury pool was poisoned by angry commuters.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
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Alice is paranoid, thinking her roommate is rearranging her shower supplies and that someone might be poisoning her food.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In November, detainees at the facility sued, alleging the facility is polluted by sewage leaks and insect infestations, and that detainees can’t get proper medical attention for life-threatening conditions.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
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First of all, most batteries contain cobalt, nickel, manganese, and other heavy metals that can be potentially toxic, and keeping them out of landfills ensures that these metals don’t leech out and pollute drinking water or the natural environment.—
Katherine Gallagher,
Treehugger,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, dip a cloth or cotton balls in acetone and blot firmly on the remaining polish.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
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Once the product has had a chance to soak in, blot the area with a towel dampened with water to remove any residue.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The loss spoiled a debut that had been perhaps the most anticipated at USC in at least half a decade, since Evan Mobley graced the Galen Center court in 2021.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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Unfortunately, as the street version of the virus (known simply as The Beauty) continues to spread, the bad PR threatens to spoil its official launch.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The fungus comes from soil that is contaminated with bird or bat droppings, according to state officials.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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In 2016, Tobin co-authored a paper analyzing an incident in which low concentration positive tests in the urine of three racehorses were linked to a trailer that had been contaminated by methamphetamine.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Come gather in community at the Death Cafe event as participants share snacks and tea and break the stigma that death is a taboo topic.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
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Zone 18, the Barrio 18 gang’s stronghold, saw 126 homicides last year despite residents facing stigma for simply living there.—
Sonia Pérez D,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The announcement comes as consumer demand for plug-in hybrids has slowed and federal support for electric powertrains has vanished, while, simultaneously, certain Stellantis 4xe vehicles have been marred by continuous recalls.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Their union was marred by affairs on both sides, perhaps most notably Charles’s ongoing affair with the former Camilla Parker Bowles (now Queen Camilla).—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taint. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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