as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink
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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
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 May 2026
An expert who spoke to New York magazine estimated that about 30 percent of the peptides tested for clients were contaminated or otherwise tainted.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 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
Former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill's comments to jurors and other actions tainted the trial, his defense said.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 May 2026
An expert who spoke to New York magazine estimated that about 30 percent of the peptides tested for clients were contaminated or otherwise tainted.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
-
It's considered one of the most polluted zip codes in America.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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The scam driving the narrative is a live one, featuring the Gowanus Canal, then New York City’s most polluted body of water and ripe for development, a few dozen blocks north of Little Odessa.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Despite evidence that the two got along well enough, rumors spread in Vienna after Mozart’s death that Salieri had poisoned him.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Two lethal mushroom species, the death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata), have poisoned at least 47 people and claimed four lives since mid-November, according to the California Department of Public Health.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The task force hopes to uncover trends and better understand why the water continues to be contaminated in the area.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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The money was part of a $9 billion investment to help communities manage water contaminated with PFAS and other contaminants.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
18 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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Nobody can resist a saucy, savory sloppy joe, but you're bound to leave a sloppy joe meal with at least one article of clothing stained.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
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Next to it was marijuana wrapped in cellophane stained with peanut butter — items that were confiscated at San José Mineta International Airport.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
22 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
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The bad inning spoiled an otherwise strong pitching effort by A’s starter Jeffrey Springs, whose record dipped to 3-4.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
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De Vliegende Hollander is a boat ride-meets-coaster with a few exhilarating surprises, best not spoiled by a YouTube ride-through.—
Zachary Laks,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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