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
Relevance
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
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
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taints
Noun
-
Roborock Robot Vacuum and Mop Deals The Roborock Q10 S5+ is a heavy-hitting two-in-one vacuum and mop that tackles stubborn stains and deep carpet debris with a massive 10,000Pa suction and sonic mopping that scrubs 3,000 times per minute.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Get rid of tough stains on carpet and upholstery with this compact, portable cleaner.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Pushing too much hostility between team members or pushing Anthony too hard to be the peacekeeper could easily create an ugly atmosphere that spoils the vibe.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Frozen fruit keeps it affordable year-round and nothing spoils mid-week.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fertilizer runoff pollutes water sources and fuels toxic algae blooms.—
Frank Morris,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
As my colleague Iris Kwok explains, that’s due to the state’s higher taxes and stricter requirements for cleaner, more expensive gas that pollutes.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 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
-
No sadness mars the purity of its paranoia.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
However, an earnestness mars most of the proceedings.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
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
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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
-
Etty’s act of solidarity, and her refusal to use her privilege, still touches him very deeply.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The law touches us but here and there, and now and then.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taints. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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