as in marred
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
a false accusation that nonetheless tarnished her reputation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in unpolished
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 tarnished
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Newer companies promising noble causes, in contrast, are not tarnished—or less tarnished, at least—which also appeals to idealistic young workers.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
Smollett also attributed his drive to rebuild his career despite his tarnished reputation to his desire to inspire his future children.
—Alyssa Davis, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
If anything, China is rising to the challenge of Arctic development made possible by failures in the West to fully develop its own remote Arctic territories, and to fully transcend its tarnished colonial histories.
—Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025
But that image has become tarnished.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Tesla’s brand has been badly tarnished since Musk became involved in politics.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 24 July 2025
Brent Lang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Suarez, one of the greatest strikers of his generation, has a history of disciplinary issues that has tarnished his legacy.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Newer companies promising noble causes, in contrast, are not tarnished—or less tarnished, at least—which also appeals to idealistic young workers.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
The project has also been tarnished by concerns surrounding governance, societal inequality, corruption and the environmental impact of largescale infrastructure schemes.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
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
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
Closer to downtown, the beaches were mostly tarnished by litter and construction debris.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
If the copper is heavily tarnished, let the toothpaste's active ingredients work on the patina for ten minutes or so before buffing.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Newer companies promising noble causes, in contrast, are not tarnished—or less tarnished, at least—which also appeals to idealistic young workers.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
Smollett also attributed his drive to rebuild his career despite his tarnished reputation to his desire to inspire his future children.
—Alyssa Davis, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
If anything, China is rising to the challenge of Arctic development made possible by failures in the West to fully develop its own remote Arctic territories, and to fully transcend its tarnished colonial histories.
—Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025
But that image has become tarnished.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Tesla’s brand has been badly tarnished since Musk became involved in politics.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 24 July 2025
Adjective
Corben’s film re-examine’s Deen’s life story, as well as the scandal that tarnished her reputation.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Suarez, one of the greatest strikers of his generation, has a history of disciplinary issues that has tarnished his legacy.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Newer companies promising noble causes, in contrast, are not tarnished—or less tarnished, at least—which also appeals to idealistic young workers.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
The project has also been tarnished by concerns surrounding governance, societal inequality, corruption and the environmental impact of largescale infrastructure schemes.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
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
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
Closer to downtown, the beaches were mostly tarnished by litter and construction debris.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnished
Verb
-
The disruptions come amid a WNBA season in which multiple games were marred by the objects making appearances on the court.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Each death was devastating to relatives and friends left behind, and the first decades of the twentieth century were marred by individual grief on a global scale.—
Alice Vernon
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
His unpolished demeanor and inability to grasp the issues presented a challenge.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
In typical athlete origin story fashion, the first half of the Christy trailer depicts the unpolished, brunette Sweeney as real-life champion Christy Salters Martin slugging it out in practice, training on a beach, and hugging her supportive team.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Buggs’ public defender also suggested that Alameda County prosecutors’ case was tainted by that bias.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
-
That Anniston’s offer is tainted is a given; that Charles is making a deal with a very bad man is obvious.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Suarez, the 38-year-old Uruguayan icon and one of the greatest strikers in history with more than 500 goals for club and country, has had his legacy stained by disciplinary issues.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Bricks look weathered and soot-stained, there’s graffiti on the walls, posters are peeling off them and shadows of moving people are even projected onto the windows of the train in the station.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As part of her ruling, Kreuziger barred McQueen, 59, from saying Lawrence Kenyon poisoned or attempted to poison her while they were married.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
10 Sep. 2025
-
When she was eventually released, Lee and a small group of her followers made the journey to America to spread their gospel, believing the people of Manchester to be poisoned by the teachings of the Church of England.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Always look for bright, vibrant heads of lettuce and avoid brown spots or dingy yellow leaves.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Driveway or garage looking a little dingy?—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Then there are the therapy sessions themselves, but those needn’t be spoiled either.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The bidirectional vehicle, with an identical front and rear, is also packed with sensors, including eight laser lidars; 10 radar units; 18 cameras; eight microphones (to hear emergency vehicles); and four thermal cameras to detect humans and animals in murky weather, dim lighting and fog.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Inside the fortune cookie factory, the room was dim, fragrant with warm vanilla, and packed with antique machinery.—
Maggie Downs,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tarnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnished. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share