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
Katie Langford, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
Federal officials advise customers not to use the tainted cinnamon and throw it away.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
Kaitlin Coward, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Also, like previous cases, Cosby, through his lawyers, insists he is being targeted and tainted because of his cultural status.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Adjective
The severity of the damage usually depends on how much of the tainted gas drivers pumped, Inslee said.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
Federal officials advise customers not to use the tainted cinnamon and throw it away.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
Ohio has seen fewer deaths but more risky behavior lately as fentanyl supplies dry up and people turn to substitutes tainted by animal tranquilizers.
—Kaitlin Coward, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Also, like previous cases, Cosby, through his lawyers, insists he is being targeted and tainted because of his cultural status.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
-
State officials issued islandwide brown water advisories for Oahu and Maui after storms sent polluted runoff into coastal waters.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The South Asian nation ranked the world’s most polluted country in 2025, according to the report.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Could Ty Jones, whose autopsy said the 33-year-old died of heart issues, have been poisoned too?—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But Antonelli also questioned reports the two had been deliberately poisoned.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once they’ve been received by customers, the company isn’t able to guarantee they haven’t been tampered with, opened, contaminated or improperly stored.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Daniel’s Mill, which opened as a thread manufacturer in the Civil War era, requires the most work because one of its subsequent owners manufactured fire retardant paint, a process that contaminated the rafters, support beams, flooring and more.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Spray the area with the diluted vinegar and water mixture, and wipe it clean with a damp cloth to remove any residue.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
30 Mar. 2026
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In total, Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI and, at the time of the AI company’s restructuring in October, disclosed that its 27% diluted stake in the for-profit part of the organization was valued at $135 billion.—
Lora Kolodny,Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Their reunion tour — which was somehow not marred by any type of familial controversy — sold out stadiums around the world and overexcelled in every conceivable way, setting the template for what the future of band reunions could look like and solidifying their legacy.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The country remains marred by fighting in its east.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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My spacious room in the heritage section had stained cedar headboards with gorgeous grain, a large comfortable sofa and heather grey carpets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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Investigators also reported discovering a partial bare footprint inside the home, later finding that Oninski’s left foot was stained with what appeared to be blood.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Verb
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The Illini went from 21 losses to 21 wins in his sophomore season in 2019-20, and only the season-ending pandemic spoiled a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In the 1960s, our nation was spoiled.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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