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
Brass can tarnish more in some areas than others.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
But Mansell’s public record was forever tarnished.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 11 Sep. 2025
There’s new leadership, new investors, and new games this time around, all in an effort to revive the brand without tarnishing its legacy.
—David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Unsportsmanlike acts undermine viewer trust and tarnish the game’s image.
—Ron Mix, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
But Mansell’s public record was forever tarnished.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 11 Sep. 2025
There’s new leadership, new investors, and new games this time around, all in an effort to revive the brand without tarnishing its legacy.
—David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Unsportsmanlike acts undermine viewer trust and tarnish the game’s image.
—Ron Mix, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnish
Verb
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The work captures life between Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples, where the ground shakes periodically and the fumaroles of the Phlegraean Fields taint the air.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
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Some of Blair's fellow Brits say the same Blair's decisions about Iraq still taint his reputation at home.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What little momentum the Broncos created was frequently marred by penalties, and a third-down sack had ruined a scoring chance in the first half.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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The show was marred only by an audio mix that dimmed Coleman’s evocative voice amid a wash of instruments — at least from this reviewer’s spot in the Fox — but the Red Clay Strays’ impact shone through nevertheless.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Arsenal host Chelsea in the coming weeks, a two-pronged opportunity for both spoiling and redemption.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Furthermore, exposure to moisture or extreme temperatures (common in laundry rooms) can cause powdered detergents to harden and liquid detergents to spoil.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Skipping regular washes—Letting white towels sit too long between washes gives body oils, makeup, and mildew more time to settle into the fibers and stain them permanently.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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For years, the fashion industry’s color palette has come at a steep price—plastic-heavy pigments, toxic dyes and dirty processes that stain more than fabric.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This creates unavoidable and intolerable conflicts of interest that poison the competitive dynamics that healthy markets require.—
Asad Ramzanali,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
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Hogan initially denied poisoning her estranged husband, according to police, but later changed her story.—
Mike Stunson,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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With an athlete’s discipline, Blass refused to let his pitching darken his mood at home.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnish. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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