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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taints
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taints
Noun
-
In addition to spot-cleaning any stains or scuff marks on the exteriors of purses, backpacks, or luggage, double-check the interiors.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Repeat until the stains are gone.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This post spoils Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
2 Mar. 2026
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But there was the Transformers actor, with his tattoos and pirate beard, behaving like the obnoxious guy at the bar who spoils everybody else’s night, getting into a fight, then continuing to party the next day after his high-profile arrest.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The prices in California are higher than in other states because of higher taxes and stricter requirements for cleaner, more expensive gas that pollutes less.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Climate change, industrial pollution, inadequate sanitation that pollutes drinking water sources with human waste — these are all factors in the water crisis.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sensing Scarlet’s resolve to destroy him, Claudius poisons her.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The picture exudes both grace and vulnerability, and hints at imperfection by way of a disconcerting, coral-like wrinkle that mars the foot’s heel.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Deadly holiday weekend mars broad crime drop The back-and-forth followed a Labor Day weekend of deadly violence in Chicago worse than in the previous two years, with seven people shot to death, according to preliminary Chicago Police Department reports.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The organization helps empower students to lobby college administrators for their needs, including expanding mental health services and improving messages to counter the lasting stigmas of seeking help.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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Furthermore, and as part of its IWD initiatives, the Alo Foundation is supporting The Mental Health Coalition to reach millions of women with accessible and proven mental health resources alongside educational content to help reduce mental stigmas.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As Europe's political climate darkens against refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants, with governments including that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni focusing resources on limiting new arrivals, Milan is taking a stand for a different approach.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In recent years, neighborhoods ranging from Hancock Park and Lincoln Heights to Mar Vista and Pico Union have been plagued by copper wire theft that darkens the streets.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At night, Elizaga hands over control of the Mirador space to chef Diego Muñoz for his Peruvian dinner concept Puna, where ceviche and oysters kick off a potentially long and always fabulous meal that touches bone marrow, chicken and prawn escabeche, and some seriously succulent pork belly.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Despite barbecue in the name, the dish never touches a grill.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taints. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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