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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tainted
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
These symptoms typically appear 3 to 4 days after having eaten or come into contact with tainted food.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Two east metro sites known to be tainted with petroleum and other contaminants will soon be on the mend thanks to grant funding.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Adjective
The film details how the couple allegedly gained influence over key elements of California’s public water system amid intensifying drought, as well as the environmental impact of large-scale agriculture, including the use of chemically tainted wastewater for irrigation.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
These symptoms typically appear 3 to 4 days after having eaten or come into contact with tainted food.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
Though many of their journeys have included television shows, restaurants and fanfare, some stories are not as positive and have been tainted by controversy.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Two east metro sites known to be tainted with petroleum and other contaminants will soon be on the mend thanks to grant funding.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
-
Not abstract, delayed or generalized data, but precise, real-time and location-specific insights delivered from the world’s most remote forests, deepest watersheds and most polluted urban corridors.—
Michael De Nil,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Whilst the moon might not be that hard to see in a light-polluted area, capturing it on a smart telescope is still impressive.—
Harry Bennett,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As part of her ruling, Kreuziger barred McQueen, 59, from saying Lawrence Kenyon poisoned or attempted to poison her while they were married.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
10 Sep. 2025
-
When she was eventually released, Lee and a small group of her followers made the journey to America to spread their gospel, believing the people of Manchester to be poisoned by the teachings of the Church of England.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In addition, the soil was found to be contaminated with lead, arsenic and other chemicals, a legacy of industrial use prior to the community being developed.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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In late August, contaminated oysters sickened several people in Louisiana, killing two people and sending 22 others to the hospital.—
Mollye Barrows,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Cortège often feels like a beautiful but diluted version of experiences that Cirque du Soleil and Burning Man execute with more conviction and coherence.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Try using a diluted solution of baking soda and water or dishwasher soap and water.—
Zoe Gowen,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The disruptions come amid a WNBA season in which multiple games were marred by the objects making appearances on the court.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Each death was devastating to relatives and friends left behind, and the first decades of the twentieth century were marred by individual grief on a global scale.—
Alice Vernon
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Inside the retro-futuristic Discoveryland area of Disneyland Paris, a full-size Star Wars X-Wing fighter sits on a silver and blue platform which looks like it has been weathered and stained from battles.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Doing some research on other things my car needs (truly the theme for this week) and decide a seat cover would be good, since it’s been stained a bit with annoying food spills.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.—
Robert F. Service,
Science | AAAS,
3 Sep. 2020
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The company reported a net loss during the first quarter of $3.9 million, or 11 cents diluted loss per share, compared to a net income of $4.3 million, or 12 cents dilute earnings per share over the same period last year.—
Paul Takahashi,
Houston Chronicle,
5 June 2018
Verb
-
Then there are the therapy sessions themselves, but those needn’t be spoiled either.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Holding on for a win on Saturday finally allowed the Padres to gain a game in the NL West on the on Dodgers, who lost a fifth straight when the Orioles spoiled a no-hitter with two outs and ultimately walked off a win.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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