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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tarnish
The cases allege that the AI models also risk tarnishing reporters’ reputations by sometimes misstating their reporting or attributing it to others.
—
Josephine Stratman, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025
Many teenagers interviewed by The New York Times on Paradise Island — as well as those who had traveled there previously — did not want their names or even the names of their schools used, to avoid tarnishing reputations.
—Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Solovyov expressed outrage over his brief stint with the battalion, suggesting this tarnished its reputation.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
The brewery, whose brand was tarnished over allegations of toxic workplace conditions in 2021, has locations in Fishtown and Mt. Airy.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Josephine Stratman, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025
Many teenagers interviewed by The New York Times on Paradise Island — as well as those who had traveled there previously — did not want their names or even the names of their schools used, to avoid tarnishing reputations.
—Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Solovyov expressed outrage over his brief stint with the battalion, suggesting this tarnished its reputation.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
The brewery, whose brand was tarnished over allegations of toxic workplace conditions in 2021, has locations in Fishtown and Mt. Airy.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnish
Verb
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Apologies to the late John Lennon, but that song has been tainted for many. Need a break?—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
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The river is tainted with harmful toxins from industrial waste, trash and untreated sewage.—
Kimberly Dickson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His rookie season was marred by an uneven second half, which was hindered by hand and foot injuries.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Apr. 2025
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His final collegiate season was marred by a shoulder injury and insufficient QB play, but Loveland still led the Wolverines in receptions (56), receiving yards (582) and receiving TDs (five).—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.—
Jack Fitzgerald,
Car and Driver,
13 Feb. 2023
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Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.—
Monica Mark,
The Christian Science Monitor,
10 Feb. 2023
Verb
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If Bonhoeffer’s example is used to justify more far-right Christian violence in America, that would be another tragedy — and a cruel irony that would stain the legacy of a man who gave up everything to confront a tyrant.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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Pérez's manager, Enrique Paulino, spoke to reporters at the scene, his shirt stained with blood.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Scores of sea lions and dolphins have been fatally poisoned in recent months by domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
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Morgan was previously married to Keith Whitley from 1986 to his alcohol poisoning death in 1989 at age 34.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The spring sky darkened over the parking lot of the Swannanoa Ingles.—
Sara Murphy,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2025
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Keeping the Trump tax cuts in place would significantly darken the country’s fiscal outlook.—
Andrew Duehren,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnish. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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