TAINTED Synonyms: 132 Similar and Opposite Words

tainted 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtān-təd

Definition of tainted

as in polluted

containing foreign or lower-grade substances tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tainted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of taint

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

Adjective

The letter also raises concerns that the White House may have worked with Taylor Farms to delay warnings to the public about the tainted food supply. — Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 Diarrhea has been a headline story in the United States this summer, with thousands of cases of explosive diarrhea traced to Cyclospora from tainted lettuce –- and the first two deaths from the outbreak now confirmed in Michigan. — Joseph Kim, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

The political violence that tainted the Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction era clashes with traditional definitions of terrorism, which typically targets a power structure that such violence seeks to upend. — Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 More than two dozen California Democrats are confronting the FCC over its rare early review of Disney’s ABC station licenses, calling the process ideologically tainted and aimed at punishing critical media coverage. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tainted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted

Adjective

In Wilmington, officials are looking into why a couple of polluted tidal creeks in the area are struggling to recover despite restoration efforts.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
But flood control cut off that supply, replacing it with polluted canals.

— Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of polluted

Verb

Glutathione is processed in sterile compounding pharmacies, and there have been cases of people getting poisoned due to contamination at these facilities, Sack said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Patterson was accused of pretending to eat the same portion, and of feigning illness in an elaborate ruse to suggest she’d also been poisoned.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of poisoned

Verb

Dyes and printing inks can contribute to diaper rash and can occasionally be contaminated with heavy metals, said Sydney Swanson, a senior science analyst at EWG.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
The products were made with jalapeños that may be contaminated with salmonella, according to the FDA.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of contaminated

Adjective

Chlorine bleach is made with diluted sodium hypochlorite, Linley McConnell, laundry and cleaning expert at Gibson’s Cleaners, explains.

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
For mild nausea, massage a few drops of diluted peppermint oil directly on the stomach.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of diluted

Adjective

Finally, the third recruits seaweed to gather minerals that are otherwise too dilute to chase.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
Clean and disinfect your pruning shears between working on each plant by dipping them into a dilute 10% solution of chlorine bleach water or rubbing alcohol.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Definition of dilute

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“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tainted

adjective

verb

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