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 only thing Trump's administration did with this escapade was to tarnish our image abroad and at home.
—
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
In arguing that the company’s reputation was already tarnished, Fox noted that Smaertmatic’s co-founder and key leadership were under federal investigation and are now facing trial for bribery and money laundering.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 May 2025
These factors contribute to a high investment risk for private ventures while simultaneously tarnishing the image of liberal states that espouse Western ideals.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Based on the possibility of broad tariffs floated by some White House aides, most outside analyses by banks and think tanks see an economy tarnished by higher prices and stagnating growth.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
In arguing that the company’s reputation was already tarnished, Fox noted that Smaertmatic’s co-founder and key leadership were under federal investigation and are now facing trial for bribery and money laundering.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 May 2025
These factors contribute to a high investment risk for private ventures while simultaneously tarnishing the image of liberal states that espouse Western ideals.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Based on the possibility of broad tariffs floated by some White House aides, most outside analyses by banks and think tanks see an economy tarnished by higher prices and stagnating growth.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnish
Verb
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The decision paves the way for Rose and Jackson — two of baseball’s greatest players whose legacies were tainted by gambling — to gain admittance to the Hall of Fame.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
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The defense, however, could again argue that the jury was tainted to the point that an instruction won’t fix the problem.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2025
Verb
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The Mavericks had a season marred by injuries and executed a trade that not only shocked the NBA but also enraged fans.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
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Finding an innovative, sustainable path to parity—without triggering the kind of prolonged labor disputes that have marred the sport’s past—will do far more for the game than any piece of equipment ever could.—
John Cairney,
Sportico.com,
15 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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Water can stain or fade many silk fabrics, leaving a permanent mark if it isn't taken care of quickly.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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Tuesday’s attack – during which men were singled out and gunned down from close range, according to survivors’ testimony – was the latest in a list of bloody incidents to stain the region.—
Aishwarya S Iyer,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And two, baking soda is an indiscriminate weed killer that poisons the soil.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 May 2025
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Years later, the toxic chemicals have poisoned Hong-rang’s body.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The bottom line: The clouds hanging over the economy are darkening and gathering, economists say.—
Laurent Belsie,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 May 2025
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As the sky darkened and duck calls filled the sky, their number appeared as a shadowed cloud approaching the rice fields.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnish. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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