as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
that rare political campaign that wasn't marred by the taint of false accusations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taint
Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2025
Such stories also give permission to new forms, while protecting designs from too strong a taint of faddishness, or of strenuous icon-making.
—Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025
An interview in which post-production AI was mentioned temporarily tainted The Brutalist‘s good name.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taint
Noun
When positioned in the right spot, the arm can tease your testicles as well as your perineum (also known as your taint).
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2025
Such stories also give permission to new forms, while protecting designs from too strong a taint of faddishness, or of strenuous icon-making.
—Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
Every foreign contract that U.S. companies get will now be tainted by questions of bribery.
—Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025
An interview in which post-production AI was mentioned temporarily tainted The Brutalist‘s good name.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taint
Noun
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No one wants a yellow stain on their outdoor furniture.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Allow 5-10 minutes for the hydrogen peroxide to penetrate and break down the stain, then wash with hot, soapy water and dry thoroughly.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The invisible, odorless gas is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, killing more than 400 Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2025
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Thousands each year are shot, poisoned to suffer, and trapped legally.—
James Powel,
USA TODAY,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The legislation came in response to a 2023 scientific report that warned existing programs to curb urban and farm runoff polluting the Bay and its rivers were falling short.—
Timothy Wheeler,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2025
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The second Trump administration is again promoting polluting power sources while pulling back support for renewable energy development.—
Mike Shriberg,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Even in victory, there had to be a blot in the Leeds copybook.—
Beren Cross,
The Athletic,
16 Mar. 2025
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Dab with a clean damp cloth to remove soapy residue, then blot dry.—
Jessica Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.—
Jack Fitzgerald,
Car and Driver,
13 Feb. 2023
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Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.—
Monica Mark,
The Christian Science Monitor,
10 Feb. 2023
Verb
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Chomps recall: Affected products, remedy The potentially contaminated ready-to-eat beef and turkey sticks were packaged at a single facility between January 16 and January 23, 2025, according to the Chomps recall website.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
22 Mar. 2025
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What To Know Officials said residents needn't worry about the contamination, as Bennington's public water supply comes from Morgan Springs, which is not contaminated by the PFAS.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The stigma around hair loss leads to 85% of alopecia areata patients experiencing social exclusion or emotional distress.—
Nathan Kattapuram,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Mar. 2025
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Systemic problems, including stigma, attacks on civil rights and preventing access to health care exacerbates mental health challenges, added Dr. Melina Wald, a clinical psychologist at her private practice Bespoke Health in Connecticut and New York state, via email.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Rodgers was cut by the New York Jets earlier this year following two seasons marred by an achilles injury and 6-12 overall record as the team’s starting quarterback.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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For Harris and his teammates, March Madness presents an opportunity for redemption after a season marred by a dozen losses.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taint. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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