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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taint
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 May 2026
One of Robinson’s lawyers, Staci Visser, argued to Judge Tony Graf that the preliminary hearing, scheduled for July 6-10, should be held behind closed doors, expressing concern that evidence presented could be reported widely by the media and possibly taint the jury pool for the murder trial.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for taint
Noun
The taint of being part of the cheating 2017 Astros has worn off over the years, and Cubs fans are banging the drum for Bregman’s arrival, excited to have an offensive upgrade from Matt Shaw, who can still learn a lot from playing multiple positions and watching from the bench.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
After today, his legacy and his political future will forever be tainted and spoiled.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 May 2026
One of Robinson’s lawyers, Staci Visser, argued to Judge Tony Graf that the preliminary hearing, scheduled for July 6-10, should be held behind closed doors, expressing concern that evidence presented could be reported widely by the media and possibly taint the jury pool for the murder trial.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for taint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taint
Noun
-
Use a baking soda paste to help with stubborn stains.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
-
Protagonist Jo’s mother disappeared when Jo was a teen, tainting her daughter with the stain of possible witchcraft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
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He was buried alive on a construction site and then poisoned by a venomous rattlesnake that crawled into his coffin and attacked him.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Just months after Netflix announced its plans to produce the series, Lin was poisoned and killed at age 39.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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But across Oklahoma, the fluid is spreading uncontrollably belowground, blasting out of old, unplugged wells, polluting land and contaminating drinking water.—
Katie Campbell,
ProPublica,
2 June 2026
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The city had rezoned the area allowing polluting heavy industry to proliferate the community.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
One of the few blots on last summer’s Leeds copybook.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
Then, blot-dry excess moisture with clean paper towels or extract with a wet/dry vacuum.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
21 May 2026
Verb
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Culpepper allowed four hits in his two innings of work, including a ninth-inning homer to spoil the shutout, while striking out four to secure the lopsided victory.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
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But while unopened alcohol may not spoil, the flavor and color can change for the worse over time.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Verb
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People develop foodborne illnesses when their food is contaminated with a wide range of hazards, including parasites, chemicals and microorganisms, Jean said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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Forty-six percent of post-consumer footwear waste is re-wearable, while the remaining 4 percent is contaminated and hindered from recycling due to damage from moisture, paint, heavy dirt, chemicals or other contaminants.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The director explains that there’s a very real weight stigma that exists in society and that due to that it’s often suggested that being in a larger body is somehow a moral failing.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
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For much of the 20th century, divorce carried a significant stigma within royal circles.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
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But six years after NASA certified SpaceX to ferry crews to and from the ISS, Boeing’s Starliner still lacks approval for regular crew rotation flights after a 2024 test flight was marred by technical issues.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
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In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taint. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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