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
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Buggs’ public defender also suggested that Alameda County prosecutors’ case was tainted by that bias.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 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
Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Buggs’ public defender also suggested that Alameda County prosecutors’ case was tainted by that bias.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
-
Established under the Carter administration in 1980 and now largely funded through dedicated taxes reinstated by the Biden administration’s infrastructure law, the Superfund program is used for clearing up polluted land and handling environmental crises such as oil spills and natural disasters.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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The river will still become polluted after heavy rainfalls due to runoff from the streets and flushing of city sewage systems.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Officials were previously awaiting toxicology results to determine whether the woman had been poisoned.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In March 2018, Ashley checked into a Florida hospital and alleged that Doug was abusive and poisoned her.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Food and/or ice adulterated or contaminated.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Recalled Trader Joe's pasta sold in Arizona The CDC said listeria contaminated products sold at Trader Joe's were the store's Trader Joe’s Cajun style blackened chicken breast fettucine alfredo, contained in a plastic tray.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Too many companies try to achieve a laundry list of objectives, resulting in a diluted and less-effective program.—
Erika Andersson,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The show was marred only by an audio mix that dimmed Coleman’s evocative voice amid a wash of instruments — at least from this reviewer’s spot in the Fox — but the Red Clay Strays’ impact shone through nevertheless.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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So long as Gabriel can avoid critical mistakes and turnovers that marred Joe Flacco's four-game stint as Cleveland's starter, the rookie should have a chance to keep the Browns in this contest and guide them to a second win over NFC North competition.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If a toilet seat is stained, go ahead and buy a replacement.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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In his third season in Boulder, coach Deion Sanders continues to lament an issue that ruined his first season and stained his second.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
26 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
-
Ipswich Town spoiled the party in 1982, and West Ham United did so in 2021.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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My group chats blew up when the news was official, because about an hour prior certain music news social media accounts did their best Woj impression and spoiled the announcement with some of us not yet ready to call it, even if betting markets had Bunny as the favorite.—
Angel Diaz,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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