Synonyms of taints

taints 1 of 2

noun

plural of taint

as in stains

a mark of guilt or disgrace

that rare political campaign that wasn't marred by the taint of false accusations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stains
• blots
• guilts
• stigmas
• shames
• smudges
• slurs
• smirches
• disgraces
• onuses
• brands
• spots
• discredit
• corruptions
• dishonors
• infamies
• sins
• black eyes
• ignominies
• depravities
• debaucheries
• immoralities
• reproaches
• odiums
• obloquies
• vices
• iniquities
• disreputes
• disesteems
• opprobriums

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• awards
• honors
• credits
• purities
• rights
• chastities
• goods
• glories
• reputes
• modesties
• fames
• integrities
• renowns
• legitimacies
• probities
• honesties
• rectitudes

taints

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of taint

1

as in spoils

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

• spoils
• poisons
• mars
• darkens
• stains
• touches
• tarnishes
• vitiates
• distorts
• discredits
• degrades
• corrupts
• pollutes
• lowers
• blackens
• sullies
• smears
• blurs
• discolors
• blemishes
• dirties
• tars
• disgraces
• dishonors
• soils
• besmirches
• debases
• shames
• demeans
• smudges
• cheapens
• subverts
• clouds
• perverts
• sinks
• debauches
• demoralizes
• colors
• besmears
• smuts
• depraves
• abases
• bastardizes
• smirches
• twists
• fouls
• begrimes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purifies
• cleanses
• elevates
• magnifies
• ennobles
• enshrines
• glorifies
• uplifts
• dignifies
• hallows

2

as in pollutes

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

• pollutes
• poisons
• contaminates
• defiles
• infects
• befouls
• sullies
• besmirches
• dilutes
• dirties
• stains
• fouls
• corrupts
• soils
• rots
• blackens
• smudges
• muddies
• adulterates
• spoils
• mires
• fouls up
• waters down
• grimes
• smirches
• doctors
• begrimes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purifies
• clarifies
• cleans
• clears
• cleanses
• distills
• purges
• filters
• decontaminates
• sterilizes
• sanitizes
• disinfects

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of taints

Verb

That’s been an idiotic trope for too long — that participating in the business side of it taints you. — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

The sarcasm taints the question but doesn’t invalidate it. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026

The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025