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

Four families living near Meta’s Newton County data center are suing the tech giant, claiming the massive facility taints their drinking water and disrupts their daily lives. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026

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