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
Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
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
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
Defense attorneys unsuccessfully attempted to have the trial moved out of Sacramento, saying years of news coverage following the shooting had irreparably tainted prospective jurors.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Adjective
Chinese officials blamed the tainted test results on chemically altered food the athletes had consumed at the time.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
And you’re also reminded that such things are still tainted, even if the movie twists itself into knots to circumvent such thinking, and the level of innocence required to listen to those hits is long gone.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
Defense attorneys unsuccessfully attempted to have the trial moved out of Sacramento, saying years of news coverage following the shooting had irreparably tainted prospective jurors.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
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Warning signs along the shoreline caution that exposure could lead to illness as polluted runoff enters the Pacific Ocean.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
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Northern India already has some of the world’s most polluted air, created by a toxic mix of vehicle and industrial emissions, crop residue burning, and construction dust.—
Ayushi Shah,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Verb
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When hunted, poisoned, and persecuted, the coyotes scattered and regrouped, their numbers surging a hundred-fold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
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The latter activity gives them some solid ground to plant their hooves on when George abruptly turns up dead one morning, poisoned by an unknown suspect.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Hantavirus is initially contracted by humans through inhalation of particles contaminated with the urine, feces or saliva of a rodent.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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An expanding recall linked to powdered milk now includes several popcorn products containing white cheddar seasoning that may be contaminated with Salmonella.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Then wipe using warm soapy water or a diluted vinegar solution.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
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Otherwise, spot clean them with diluted detergent and water.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The grand occasion was almost marred by an accident, the Tribune reported.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Though that 2017 championship is marred by one of the most egregious cheating scandals in baseball history.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The street in front of the homes is seen stained with blood.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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In some stretches, the water is stained with chemical residue.—
Ayushi Shah,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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But dwarf galaxies are smaller and colder, with more dilute and slower-moving matter.—
Paul M. Sutter,
Scientific American,
6 May 2026
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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
Verb
-
We are spoiled for choice in this town.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Suddenly, and very publicly, Russian officials appeared nervous, afraid that their parade would be spoiled.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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