as in contamination
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as in marring
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 tarnishing
Olivia Dubyak,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Make sure to hand-wash any copper items or other precious metals to keep their shine and luster intact and avoid discoloration or tarnishing.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
According to Jacqueline Kim, the account director at consulting firm DEH Jewelry Solutions, tarnishing occurs primarily due to chemical reactions between metals and elements in the environment, such as oxygen.
—
Shelby Ying Hyde,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2024
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Bambaataa denied the allegations in a statement that invoked a sense of conspiracy, and suggested that the accusers were agents intent on tarnishing his reputation.
—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
The Tate necklace has a stack of three chains, including a tennis, hera, and bezel-set, and is designed with a stainless steel protective coating that’s water-resistant, so it’s protected against tarnishing.
—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
After the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, athletes raised concerns that their awards, which famously included pieces of the Eiffel Tower, were tarnishing and corroding after the games.
—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
12 Feb. 2026
Simply putting a protective barrier like a regular cloth between your silver and the outside world wouldn’t be enough to stop tarnishing.
—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Watson stirred controversy late in life, tarnishing his reputation as a scientist in a series of racist remarks.
—
Christina Zdanowicz,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Internal rivalries, particularly between his sister and his chief adviser, spilled into public view, tarnishing the administration’s image.
—
MarÃa Victoria Murillo,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Nov. 2025
His arrest and subsequent trial blew it over like a house of cards, though, tarnishing Combs' reputation with claims of domestic abuse, intimidation and rampant drug use.
—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
It’s made of 10K gold, so any tarnishing that happens down the line can likely be cleaned or polished away.
—
Olivia Dubyak,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Make sure to hand-wash any copper items or other precious metals to keep their shine and luster intact and avoid discoloration or tarnishing.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
According to Jacqueline Kim, the account director at consulting firm DEH Jewelry Solutions, tarnishing occurs primarily due to chemical reactions between metals and elements in the environment, such as oxygen.
—
Shelby Ying Hyde,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2024
Verb
These are formulated to restore chrome’s mirrorlike finish without tarnishing or damaging the plating.
—
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Bambaataa denied the allegations in a statement that invoked a sense of conspiracy, and suggested that the accusers were agents intent on tarnishing his reputation.
—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
The Tate necklace has a stack of three chains, including a tennis, hera, and bezel-set, and is designed with a stainless steel protective coating that’s water-resistant, so it’s protected against tarnishing.
—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
After the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, athletes raised concerns that their awards, which famously included pieces of the Eiffel Tower, were tarnishing and corroding after the games.
—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
12 Feb. 2026
Simply putting a protective barrier like a regular cloth between your silver and the outside world wouldn’t be enough to stop tarnishing.
—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Watson stirred controversy late in life, tarnishing his reputation as a scientist in a series of racist remarks.
—
Christina Zdanowicz,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Internal rivalries, particularly between his sister and his chief adviser, spilled into public view, tarnishing the administration’s image.
—
MarÃa Victoria Murillo,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Nov. 2025
His arrest and subsequent trial blew it over like a house of cards, though, tarnishing Combs' reputation with claims of domestic abuse, intimidation and rampant drug use.
—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnishing
Noun
-
These advisories account for that lingering contamination.
-
The plans have touched off stiff opposition from neighbors worried about soil erosion, already a problem in an area of steeply sloping topography, and potential well contamination.
Verb
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Lined with live oaks and old-fashioned, busy storefronts, this artsy town on the Gulf of Mexico has no commercial development marring its shoreline.
-
In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.
Noun
-
Part of a network of environmental groups, SteelWatch, Gary Advocates and other northwest Indiana activists say the blast furnace, once it is relined, will pump vast amounts of pollution into the region for another 20 years.
-
Its investments include companies focused on decarbonization, climate adaptation, water and pollution management, financial inclusion, and healthcare impact.
Verb
-
The case has attracted enormous media attention and concerns from both sides about misinformation tainting the potential jury pool.
-
Thursday’s study is not the first indication that social media may be tainting people’s views on sunscreen and sun safety.
Verb
-
Lineage also has contracted with Orkin and Signal Restoration Services to try to keep pests from being drawn to the spoiling food.
-
Use fans, essential oils, or porch screens to keep mosquitoes from spoiling your summer nights.
Verb
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One of Robinson's attorneys, Kathryn Nester, also represented Kouri Richins, who was convicted of poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in March 2022.
-
Lewis was accused of poisoning two white female housemates, assaulted by a white mob in response to the charge, and acquitted in court, only to then be accused of stealing art supplies and prohibited from reënrolling.
Verb
-
Moonrise will take place across North America in blue hour, when the sky is darkening but still retains color — perfect timing.
-
Sweep sidewalks regularly to keep dirt and debris from building up and darkening the color.
Verb
-
Apply a sealant to the sidewalk, if desired, to prevent future staining.
-
The memento, sourced from a Salvation Army, does show some signs of use in the film, including staining, frayed fringe, and some loose threads.
Cite this Entry
“Tarnishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnishing. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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