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
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Since Valentine’s Day 2023, a civil lawsuit regarding the incident was resolved, according to the restaurant, which said individuals responsible for serving the tainted drink were fired.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Bonds and Clemens would be shoo-ins for the Hall had their careers in MLB not been tainted by the accusations.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Adjective
By the early 1930s, widespread crime, tainted liquor and the need for tax revenue fueled public dissatisfaction, ultimately leading to Prohibition’s repeal in 1933 and the return of regulated barrooms.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Since Valentine’s Day 2023, a civil lawsuit regarding the incident was resolved, according to the restaurant, which said individuals responsible for serving the tainted drink were fired.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Jansen Images revive past embarrassments Numerous public figures connected to Jeffrey Epstein have been again tainted by the association this year as more information about their communication with and ties to Epstein have resurfaced.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Bonds and Clemens would be shoo-ins for the Hall had their careers in MLB not been tainted by the accusations.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
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The grants are expected to help clean up 75 acres of polluted lands and create 1,500 housing units, in addition to new school spaces and commercial areas.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
-
As to the environment, white phosphorus destroyed fruit, vegetable and olive harvests, burned agricultural lands and left them polluted.—
Josiane Yazbeck,
The Conversation,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors allege Richins poisoned her husband with a cocktail laced with illicit fentanyl while the couple was celebrating at their home in March 2022.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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In early 2025, Milwaukee discovered that lead paint had poisoned at least four students in its public schools.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Due to these various chemicals and munitions, Lebanon’s soil and water have been contaminated with heavy metals, military scrap, and unexploded bombs.—
Josiane Yazbeck,
The Conversation,
22 Jan. 2026
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The fungus comes from soil that is contaminated with bird or bat droppings, according to state officials.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Fill a spray bottle with a diluted mix of lemon juice or with 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
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Wait until active new growth restarts—after the cactus has dropped all its flowers—then restart the feeding routine of a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer and keep it up through spring and summer.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Geothermal energy solutions have been around for a while, though, and have been marred by location specificity, high water usage, and high initial costs.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
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Montoya resigned after a season marred by the coach being the focus of an investigation into Bay FC’s culture.—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their uniforms will forever be stained with the blood of their teammates.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Worn Washcloths or Towels Go through all your linens in the bathroom, and discard any that are old, stained, tattered, or smell weird.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 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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Fans were spoiled with 12 tracks of retro-inspired, plushy pop — and as the rollout suggested, the tracks painted a greater picture of Carpenter’s arduous dating experience, brought to life with production and writing support from acclaimed collaborators Jack Antonoff, John Ryan and Amy Allen.—
Meghan Mahar,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2026
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Chief on the film’s mind is what happens when the relative innocence of that blush of first infatuation — neither boy seems particularly troubled by his proclivity — is spoiled by outside forces, like family and the church.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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