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

Salmonella outbreak linked to tainted jalapeños isn’t over The CDC reported more than 400 cases in 32 states, although the number of illnesses is likely to be much higher. — Jane Weaver, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026

For example, malicious cyber-hackers seeking to wreak havoc could use AI to corrupt the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, creating dangerous, tainted drug products. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

Lee has been under pressure to distinguish Hong Kong from regional rivals and mainland Chinese metropolises, especially after Beijing’s tightening grip tainted Hong Kong’s image as a freewheeling financial center. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Defense lawyers argued that Colleton County's jury pool was tainted by the highly covered original trial. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2026