as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
a false accusation that nonetheless tarnished her reputation
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Recent Examples of tarnish
Newer companies promising noble causes, in contrast, are not tarnished—or less tarnished, at least—which also appeals to idealistic young workers.
—
Dave Smith, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
The project has also been tarnished by concerns surrounding governance, societal inequality, corruption and the environmental impact of largescale infrastructure schemes.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
According to Scanagatta, not even a three-month doping ban earlier this year – deemed to be accidental and linked to a physio applying an over-the-counter spray – could tarnish his golden-boy image.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Lance Armstrong was one of the most famous athletes in the world before a doping scandal tarnished his career.
—Emily Krauser, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Dave Smith, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
The project has also been tarnished by concerns surrounding governance, societal inequality, corruption and the environmental impact of largescale infrastructure schemes.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
According to Scanagatta, not even a three-month doping ban earlier this year – deemed to be accidental and linked to a physio applying an over-the-counter spray – could tarnish his golden-boy image.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Lance Armstrong was one of the most famous athletes in the world before a doping scandal tarnished his career.
—Emily Krauser, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnish
Verb
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Rahmani, the former prosecutor, said statements by Patel and other Justice Department officials could raise concerns about tainting the jury pool in a future trial.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
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Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The disruptions come amid a WNBA season in which multiple games were marred by the objects making appearances on the court.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Each death was devastating to relatives and friends left behind, and the first decades of the twentieth century were marred by individual grief on a global scale.—
Alice Vernon
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite Alfred and Jefferson-Wooden being the clear favorites for gold in the 100-meter dash, there are a few others besides Fraser-Pryce who could spoil the party.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Instead, the couple is content to spoil their dog, Bimini, a mini Labradoodle whom Berk first introduced on his Instagram in 2021.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Wood filler is the best choice for repairing large, deep gouges, but usually requires staining.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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Inside the retro-futuristic Discoveryland area of Disneyland Paris, a full-size Star Wars X-Wing fighter sits on a silver and blue platform which looks like it has been weathered and stained from battles.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Thousands of multivitamin bottles sold on Amazon and other websites have been recalled over a risk of serious injury or death by poisoning.—
Joel Thayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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During World War II, Husseini became a Nazi collaborator, broadcasting propaganda into the Arab world, touring death camps with his friend Heinrich Himmler, recruiting SS divisions, and hatching a plot to poison Tel Aviv’s water supply.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Thunder crackled and skies darkened in Mooresville.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
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Please note that leather conditioner does darken the color of the leather.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnish. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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