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

Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by a pathogen in tainted produce, which has already sickened thousands of Americans this summer. — Taylor Swinton, Washington Post, 17 July 2026

As part of the settlement, Latchford’s estate also forfeited a 7th-century bronze statue depicting the goddess Durga, alleged to have been stolen from Vietnam in 2008 and which Latchford allegedly purchased using tainted funds. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Verb

In 2017, Taylor Farms recalled about 6,630 pounds of chicken and pork salad products possibly tainted with listeria monocytogenes. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 20 July 2026

The issue is a sensitive one for Labour, which was found to be tainted with antisemitism before Starmer took over, and also relies on the support of a large Muslim population. — ABC News, 19 July 2026