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
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
The decision has vexed supporters of the program and of journalism in general, who charged Paramount executives risked tarnishing a media brand that has long sought to hold power to account and to probe events with an independent lens.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Aug. 2025
If so, will his influence in the upper chamber be tarnished?
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Even before the crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried tarnished the name of effective altruism (EA), the movement had backed itself into tight corners.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Emily Krauser, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The decision has vexed supporters of the program and of journalism in general, who charged Paramount executives risked tarnishing a media brand that has long sought to hold power to account and to probe events with an independent lens.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Aug. 2025
If so, will his influence in the upper chamber be tarnished?
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Even before the crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried tarnished the name of effective altruism (EA), the movement had backed itself into tight corners.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnish
Verb
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Runoff from cultivation sites may taint the water due to the presence of pesticides.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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The decision came in response to challenges from criminal defense attorneys, who argued their clients’ prosecutions were tainted because Habba was kept in place despite not previously serving as the first assistant to the office.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Boy Meets World — Savage’s comedy legacy has been marred by multiple misconduct allegations over the years.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Holes marred the walls in the kitchen under the dish machine, dry storage and dish storage rooms.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Holding on for a win on Saturday finally allowed the Padres to gain a game in the NL West on the on Dodgers, who lost a fifth straight when the Orioles spoiled a no-hitter with two outs and ultimately walked off a win.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
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Besides, if one bad apple can spoil the whole barrel, then just imagine the good that Maria could do by removing it from the rest of the bunch.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Any home cleaning product can cause staining and shrinking.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
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Address any spills in your sink right away to reduce the opportunity for staining.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Abusers and traffickers are exploiting this lack of oversight—leaving women coerced, deceived, and sometimes poisoned.—
Christa Brown,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
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Beyond the broader ecological catastrophes that await us, wildfires harm people with smoke that can travel hundreds of kilometers from the source fire, poisoning people with small particles and a portfolio of toxins.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That means the blood-red moon will climb above the eastern horizon already darkened, creating a dramatic but challenging sight.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Areas that should have been completely dark were instead illuminated with noisy streaks; areas that should have been uniformly bright had darkened streaks across them.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnish. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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