as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
a false accusation that nonetheless tarnished her reputation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 tarnish
Several Olympians will receive new medals after complaining that their hardware from the 2024 Summer Games in Paris have already begun to tarnish, according to the French mint that produced the medals.
—
Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 15 Jan. 2025
The cases allege that the AI models also risk tarnishing reporters’ reputations by sometimes misstating their reporting or attributing it to others.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
That was something that was orchestrated, both that situation and the situation with the fortunes that was orchestrated by my ex-husband to tarnish my image.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 14 Jan. 2025
Hired as Trump's special counsel in 2007, he was quickly entrusted with sensitive tasks ranging from negotiating vendor disputes to burying stories that might tarnish Trump's public image.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tarnish 
Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 15 Jan. 2025
The cases allege that the AI models also risk tarnishing reporters’ reputations by sometimes misstating their reporting or attributing it to others.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
That was something that was orchestrated, both that situation and the situation with the fortunes that was orchestrated by my ex-husband to tarnish my image.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 14 Jan. 2025
Hired as Trump's special counsel in 2007, he was quickly entrusted with sensitive tasks ranging from negotiating vendor disputes to burying stories that might tarnish Trump's public image.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tarnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnish
Verb
-
In a 2021 study in the Journal of Urban Health, researchers surveyed adult residents of Flint, Michigan, where the water was known to have been tainted with lead.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The goal is not to taint your hard work with someone whose values are the polar opposite to yours.—
Goro Gupta,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
However, 2017 first-round pick Malik Hooker’s time in Indianapolis was marred by a season-ending knee and Achilles injuries leading the team to decline the safety’s fifth-year option.—
James Boyd,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Employers stuck the landing in 2024, finishing the year with a bounce of hiring after a summer slowdown and an autumn marred by disruption.—
Lydia DePillis,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.—
Monica Mark,
The Christian Science Monitor,
10 Feb. 2023
Verb
-
Make Glass Shower Doors Sparkle The entire aesthetic of your bathroom can take a big hit the moment your glass shower door begins to look streaky, stained, or foggy.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2025
-
As Shilpa notes though, the plastic has a tendency to stain, especially when slicing carrots or beets.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appétit,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In 2015, the Tribune reported on a broader phenomenon of lead poisoning plaguing children living in some of the poorest Chicago neighborhoods.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Jan. 2025
-
These operations are often controlled by cartels and poison the surrounding natural environment with toxic chemicals.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Don't forget about the pet oyster As the late afternoon sky began to darken, the white Jeep still was parked in front the home with the well-fed koi.—
Josh Peter,
USA TODAY,
15 Jan. 2025
-
The pleasant, quirky notes of an accordion join the strains of violin, wafting upward toward the darkening sky, accenting the polite chatter of guests hoping for a handshake and a word with America’s latest King Midas and his Nordic queen of a wife.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tarnish
Cite this Entry
“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnish. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share