as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tainted
Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
The Dohertys are in close proximity to dozens of properties with tainted wells.
—Sean Patrick Cooper, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Weinstein and his lawyers argued that the retrial verdict was tainted by infighting and bullying among jurors.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Adjective
Federal officials advise customers not to use the tainted cinnamon and throw it away.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
The Dohertys are in close proximity to dozens of properties with tainted wells.
—Sean Patrick Cooper, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
Weinstein and his lawyers argued that the retrial verdict was tainted by infighting and bullying among jurors.
—CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Weinstein and his lawyers argued that the retrial verdict was tainted by infighting and bullying among jurors.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
-
Their waterways are polluted and undrinkable, yet citizens still wash their clothes and utensils in them.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The neighborhoods closest to the data center are already some of the most polluted in Denver, the organizers noted.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Other witnesses could include relatives of the defendant and her late husband, and friends of Eric Richins who have recounted phone conversations from the day prosecutors say he was first poisoned by his wife of nine years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Turns out, Chris lied about touching a stone mid-play and has quietly poisoned every victory and memory the team has enjoyed since.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trader Joe’s, Ralphs and others have recalled some frozen food products amid concerns they may be contaminated with glass.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This level of cleaning is most important to do when someone is ill or when surfaces may be contaminated with disease-causing pathogens.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Spray the door generously with cleaner or use a microfiber cloth to wet the door with the diluted vinegar mixture.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Clean the feeders with hot water, a hummingbird feeder brush, and a diluted vinegar solution (one part vinegar, two parts water).—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The issue, which can arise within minutes, is that no matter how careful, how neurotic, how cautious someone is, inevitably the shiny piano black plastic trim gets scratched, knicked, and or marred rapidly as a car is used.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The Democratic contest was marred by voting issues affecting the state’s second-largest county, which caused confusion around ballot eligibility.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Worn Clothing Do not fill your dresser drawers with garments that have seen better days to the point that they're torn or stained.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Set in a landscape stained by red clay and bad blood, villainy is commonplace.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
-
For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.—
Robert F. Service,
Science | AAAS,
3 Sep. 2020
Verb
-
Vegas spoiled Gustavsson’s shutout bid early in the third with a Pavel Dorofeyev goal on their first power play of the game.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
-
When the power fails, businesses close, employees lose wages, and spoiled inventory piles up.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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