as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in poisoned
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contaminated
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tainted
Sean Patrick Cooper, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
By the early 1930s, widespread crime, tainted liquor and the need for tax revenue fueled public dissatisfaction, ultimately leading to Prohibition’s repeal in 1933 and the return of regulated barrooms.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
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 tainted
Adjective
The Dohertys are in close proximity to dozens of properties with tainted wells.
—Sean Patrick Cooper, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
By the early 1930s, widespread crime, tainted liquor and the need for tax revenue fueled public dissatisfaction, ultimately leading to Prohibition’s repeal in 1933 and the return of regulated barrooms.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 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 tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
-
Caleb Roberts, the director of Downwinders at Risk, said once again, the most vulnerable and polluted communities are left behind.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Water from the Yamuna – considered sacred and worshipped by millions – has become so polluted by ammonia from industrial waste that water plants have been unable to treat it.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Last year, though, the Anthropic team inadvertently poisoned its own well by allowing the Jones Foods experiment, in which Claude faked its way through retraining, into the data set.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Spanish was the primary language for more than 60% of people poisoned, according to the health department.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The frozen salmon may be contaminated with Listeria, the report says, as presence of the bacteria was found in a random sample collected by the FDA.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Since last spring, lawyers and advocates have complained of inadequate medical care, contaminated food and minimal schooling for children held there.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Even diluted bleach is a strong chemical to be using in your flower vase water.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This is done by scrubbing the feeder and its parts with mind soap and water, then soaking it in a diluted bleach solution.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In fact, Nanos' last election was marred by controversy.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
However, Machado seems to have regrouped following the elbow surgery that marred the end of his 2023 season and slowed him to start 2024.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Gooday explained that red hone is blue hone that has been stained by iron materials.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Classic raised garden beds made of wood and stained to protect them from the elements are a good way to pack a lot of plants into a small space.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
-
For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.—
Robert F. Service,
Science | AAAS,
3 Sep. 2020
Verb
-
Jane noticed that he was spoiled.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Against the team that spoiled its last effort to build a dynasty a decade ago.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
