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tainted 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtān-təd How to pronounce tainted (audio)
Definition of taintednext
as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Defense lawyers argued that Colleton County's jury pool was tainted by the highly covered original trial. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2026 But just the name alone, Abdul, some people are very tainted by the stereotypes. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
  1. polluted
  2. poisoned
  3. contaminated
  4. diluted
  5. marred
  6. dilute
  7. stained
  8. adulterated
Adjective
  • This is where studying microbes that already live in polluted environments gives us an advantage.
    — Catherine Armbruster, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In Wilmington, officials are looking into why a couple of polluted tidal creeks in the area are struggling to recover despite restoration efforts.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of polluted
Verb
  • And so, in many ways, the well of public opinion was already poisoned.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Colonizers call it voluntary emigration, but there is nothing voluntary about fleeing after your home has been bombed, your fields poisoned, your water cut off and your child buried.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of poisoned
Verb
  • Like many former industrial sites, Hazelwood Green contained soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals and other pollutants, resulting in its classification as a brownfield.
    — Catherine Armbruster, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
  • It’s created in the refinery—the machinery that converts contaminated crude into standardized fuel that engines consume.
    — Shawn Rosemarin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of contaminated
Adjective
  • If lily pollen or another substance is on a cat’s coat, Wahlen recommends wiping it away or washing the area with diluted dish soap to prevent ingestion during grooming.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Even if this is so, experts say personalized pricing could lead to a diluted understanding of what one item should cost.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of diluted
Verb
  • The episode was marred some by a glitch in the show’s voting system; viewers weren’t able to choose their favorites on the DWTS website and had to vote by text.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Another interesting option is Yetur Gross-Matos, whose recent stint with the 49ers was marred by a knee issue.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of marred
Adjective
  • Finally, the third recruits seaweed to gather minerals that are otherwise too dilute to chase.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
  • Clean and disinfect your pruning shears between working on each plant by dipping them into a dilute 10% solution of chlorine bleach water or rubbing alcohol.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Definition of dilute
Verb
  • The case has attracted widespread attention because the nature of Fortune’s death recalled lynchings in the Southern state, which has a tumultuous civil rights history stained by episodes of racial violence.
    — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Several others said the incident has stained India’s credibility and the Hindu religion.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of stained
Adjective
  • Navarro, who pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy in August, was sentenced Friday in Manhattan by federal Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil for being part of a conspiracy to distribute and administer adulterated and misbranded drugs for racehorses.
    — Stephen Edelson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Dec. 2021
Definition of adulterated

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Cite this Entry

“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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