tarnish

verb

ˈtär-nish How to pronounce tarnish (audio)
Definition of tarnishnext
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable a false accusation that nonetheless tarnished her reputation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tarnish Williams, who had filed counterclaims against Baumgarten for allegedly making false and defamatory statements about her and tarnishing her reputation, also voluntarily dismissed her suit at the same time. — Catherine Muccigrosso july 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 For trophies tarnish And crowds grow still Time itself outlasts all the skill. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026 Steer clear of using them with alliums, eggs, vinegars, tomatoes, or shellfish so as not to tarnish the silver. — Clara Hillis, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026 The Pentagon's inadequate communication has tarnished trust and credibility among the American public, Congress and crucial regional allies who are facing Iranian attacks, three former military officials tell Lawrence. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnish
  1. taint
  2. mar
  3. spoil
  4. stain
  5. poison
  6. darken
Verb
  • In July, the US was hit with a wave of explosive diarrhea caused by an outbreak of cyclospora, a parasite that spreads through food and water tainted with human feces.
    — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The president has pointed to Cohen’s reversal in the Daniels case as evidence that his own conviction on 34 felony counts was tainted.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of taint
Verb
  • But his tenure has been marred by a number of fatal shootings of immigrants in encounters with ICE officers.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Smith’s presence could help prevent the friction that marred Babcock’s tenures in Toronto and Columbus.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of mar
Verb
  • Cloud Residence spoils you even further with one pool on the terrace and another pool and a hot tub on its roof.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The seeming confirmation that Cyberleek has a full build, likely from 2025, opens the door to the possibility that the story of GTA VI could start being spoiled.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of spoil
Verb
  • But even the most dependable pieces eventually become too stained, scratched, or mismatched for food storage.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Clark’s denim featured unique distressing, looking as if the denim was once white and stained with coffee.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • See affected product Symptoms of salmonella poisoning Symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually start six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Glutathione is processed in sterile compounding pharmacies, and there have been cases of people getting poisoned due to contamination at these facilities, Sack said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of poison
Verb
  • However, they can be ordered with Transitions lenses that darken outdoors and clear up inside.
    — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The title references Black Like Me, white journalist John Howard Griffin’s 1961 nonfiction book about darkening his skin to pass for Black in the Jim Crow South.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of darken

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tarnish
tarnished
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Cite this Entry

“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnish. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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