Synonyms of tainted

tainted 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtān-təd 

as in polluted

containing foreign or lower-grade substances

tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink

Synonyms & Similar Words

• polluted
• contaminated
• diluted
• thinned
• dilute
• adulterated
• mixed
• blended
• impure
• alloyed
• weakened
• combined
• soiled
• corrupted
• spoiled
• compounded
• adulterate
• defiled
• debased
• unfiltered
• unclarified
• dirtied
• incorporated
• sullied
• merged
• commingled
• fouled
• besmirched
• begrimed
• mingled
• intermingled
• befouled
• intermixed
• unrefined
• maculate
• coalesced
• bemired
• doctored
• cheapened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pure
• untainted
• uncontaminated
• fine
• undiluted
• unadulterated
• unmixed
• unpolluted
• uncut
• purified
• filtered
• refined
• unalloyed
• plain
• concentrated
• straight
• strong
• neat
• ultrapure
• sterile
• clarified
• pasteurized
• uncombined
• clean
• sterilized
• ultrarefined
• unsullied
• stainless
• spotless
• immaculate
• unsoiled

tainted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of taint

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

• poisoned
• marred
• stained
• spoiled
• darkened
• touched
• tarnished
• distorted
• vitiated
• smeared
• discredited
• corrupted
• degraded
• blackened
• blemished
• polluted
• lowered
• sullied
• soiled
• blurred
• clouded
• discolored
• disgraced
• smudged
• tarred
• besmirched
• dishonored
• perverted
• debased
• shamed
• dirtied
• twisted
• colored
• subverted
• smutted
• smirched
• besmeared
• sank
• demeaned
• cheapened
• debauched
• begrimed
• depraved
• fouled
• demoralized
• bastardized
• abased

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purified
• cleansed
• elevated
• magnified
• enshrined
• glorified
• dignified
• uplifted
• ennobled
• hallowed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• polluted
• poisoned
• contaminated
• defiled
• infected
• stained
• befouled
• sullied
• fouled
• soiled
• diluted
• adulterated
• smudged
• besmirched
• blackened
• corrupted
• dirtied
• mired
• rotted
• muddied
• spoiled
• begrimed
• grimed
• smirched
• doctored
• watered down
• fouled up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purified
• cleaned
• distilled
• cleared
• purged
• cleansed
• filtered
• clarified
• decontaminated
• sterilized
• disinfected
• sanitized

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tainted

Adjective

Close to half of the cases of foodborne illness caused by Vibrio vulnificus have resulted in death, and some within 24 hours after consumption of tainted shellfish such as raw oysters. — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Another juvenile in detention passed around the tainted jug, according to the suit. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Verb

The pool’s new blue paint appeared to be peeling off shortly after renovations as an algae bloom tainted the water green. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 7 July 2026

Commentators from around the world condemned the decision and said any US success from then on would be tainted. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2026