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
Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
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
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
The losing bidder for a contract to run the state’s 18 highway service plazas says that recently released text exchanges show that the decision to award a 35-year lease to a foreign company was tainted by glaring conflicts of interest.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
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Authorities add that polluted water, marine debris, and unstable cliffs may also pose hazards, according to a webpage from the National Park Service (NPS).—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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But perhaps most significantly, these changes may be linked to cyanobacteria, toxic microbes often found in polluted waters.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One of the jurors said deliberations were poisoned by a belief among some jurors that a member of the panel had been paid off by Weinstein or his lawyers.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
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His family believed he had been poisoned by the spirit, according to the Tennessee State Museum.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Most PETs are incinerated or landfilled because conventional recycling methods struggle with complex, contaminated waste streams.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
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Unknown water can be contaminated with parasites, bacteria or other pathogens, which can make dogs sick.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Empty the bird baths and wash them with a diluted solution of vinegar and water, and dry before refilling.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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If your napkin is saturated in grease, soaking it in a diluted vinegar mixture will help remove the greasy feel and smell while also softening the fibers.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The criminal trial against the five players was widely followed across Canada and the sports world, and it was marred by logistical legal issues, including Judge Carroccia originally dismissing the trial in mid-May over the players’ defense attorneys’ behavior in court.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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The contest was marred by violent disorder, with five people taken to hospital and 62 injured.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Wood floors that have been stained in interesting patterns create a sense of architecture and rhythm, bridge traditional elements with modern ones, and can even help a space feel larger.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
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If a toilet seat is stained, go ahead and buy a replacement.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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 nonprofit also pledged to assist villagers without power or running water, especially those whose food has spoiled at the start of the winter season.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
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Sandwich could only get one corner in the second half — which was spoiled by a shot ruled too high.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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