Synonyms of tainted

tainted 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtān-təd 

as in polluted

containing foreign or lower-grade substances

tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink

Synonyms & Similar Words

• polluted
• contaminated
• diluted
• thinned
• dilute
• adulterated
• mixed
• blended
• impure
• alloyed
• weakened
• combined
• soiled
• corrupted
• spoiled
• compounded
• adulterate
• defiled
• debased
• unfiltered
• unclarified
• dirtied
• incorporated
• sullied
• merged
• commingled
• fouled
• besmirched
• begrimed
• mingled
• intermingled
• befouled
• intermixed
• unrefined
• maculate
• coalesced
• bemired
• doctored
• cheapened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pure
• untainted
• uncontaminated
• fine
• undiluted
• unadulterated
• unmixed
• unpolluted
• uncut
• purified
• filtered
• refined
• unalloyed
• plain
• concentrated
• straight
• strong
• neat
• ultrapure
• sterile
• clarified
• pasteurized
• uncombined
• clean
• sterilized
• ultrarefined
• unsullied
• stainless
• spotless
• immaculate
• unsoiled

tainted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of taint

1

as in poisoned

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

• poisoned
• marred
• stained
• spoiled
• darkened
• touched
• tarnished
• distorted
• vitiated
• smeared
• discredited
• corrupted
• degraded
• blackened
• blemished
• polluted
• lowered
• sullied
• soiled
• blurred
• clouded
• discolored
• disgraced
• smudged
• tarred
• besmirched
• dishonored
• perverted
• debased
• shamed
• dirtied
• twisted
• colored
• subverted
• smutted
• smirched
• besmeared
• sank
• demeaned
• cheapened
• debauched
• begrimed
• depraved
• fouled
• demoralized
• bastardized
• abased

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purified
• cleansed
• elevated
• magnified
• enshrined
• glorified
• dignified
• uplifted
• ennobled
• hallowed

2

as in contaminated

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

• polluted
• poisoned
• contaminated
• defiled
• infected
• stained
• befouled
• sullied
• fouled
• soiled
• diluted
• adulterated
• smudged
• besmirched
• blackened
• corrupted
• dirtied
• mired
• rotted
• muddied
• spoiled
• begrimed
• grimed
• smirched
• doctored
• watered down
• fouled up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purified
• cleaned
• distilled
• cleared
• purged
• cleansed
• filtered
• clarified
• decontaminated
• sterilized
• disinfected
• sanitized

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tainted

Adjective

For example, malicious cyber-hackers seeking to wreak havoc could use AI to corrupt the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, creating dangerous, tainted drug products. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

The letter also raises concerns that the White House may have worked with Taylor Farms to delay warnings to the public about the tainted food supply. — Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

The president has pointed to Cohen’s reversal in the Daniels case as evidence that his own conviction on 34 felony counts was tainted. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026

The political violence that tainted the Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction era clashes with traditional definitions of terrorism, which typically targets a power structure that such violence seeks to upend. — Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026