TAINT Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'taint' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of taint are contaminate , defile , and pollute . While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination. // tainted meat // a politician's tainted reputation

Q: When would 'contaminate' be a good substitute for 'taint'?

While in some cases nearly identical to taint , contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source. // water contaminated by industrial wastes

Q: When can 'defile' be used instead of 'taint'?

The words defile and taint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration. // defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

Q: When is 'pollute' a more appropriate choice than 'taint'?

Although the words pollute and taint have much in common, pollute , sometimes interchangeable with contaminate , distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy. // the polluted waters of the river

taint 1 of 2

noun

Definition of taint next

as in stain

a mark of guilt or disgrace that rare political campaign that wasn't marred by the taint of false accusations

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

taint

2 of 2

verb

ˈtānt

as in to poison

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable criticism of her sister's singing that was tainted by envy a tendency toward conceitedness taints the athlete's status as a role model

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as in to pollute

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable smog has long tainted the air of the city, making it difficult to breathe

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb taint contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of taint are contaminate, defile, and pollute. While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat

a politician's tainted reputation

When would contaminate be a good substitute for taint?

While in some cases nearly identical to taint, contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

When can defile be used instead of taint?

The words defile and taint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration.

defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

When is pollute a more appropriate choice than taint?

Although the words pollute and taint have much in common, pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy.

the polluted waters of the river

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 taint

Noun

The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply. —

Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025 Take care not to touch the glands, or your hands will carry their taint to the meat. —

Maurice H. Decker, Outdoor Life, 17 Sep. 2025

Verb

The fact that Katherine had been institutionalized may have tainted her scholarly reputation. —

Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026 Both the original news reporting and police investigation would be tainted by these sexist views. —

Nathan Smith, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for taint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taint

Noun

Peel-and-stick tiles are also more susceptible to surface damage (such as scratches and stains), so consider this when choosing where to install them.

— Cori Sears, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Emily Brontë’s novel is a book that stains — its emotions seep through generations, its hatreds metastasize, its love transforms into something unholy and permanent.

— Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of stain

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tailwinds

taint

tainted

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“Taint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taint. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of taint

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