TAINTS Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

taints 1 of 2

noun

plural of taint

as in stains

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

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taints

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of taint

as in spoils

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 pollutes

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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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 taints

Verb

That’s been an idiotic trope for too long — that participating in the business side of it taints you. — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 The sarcasm taints the question but doesn’t invalidate it. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taints

Noun

Though stains on clothes can be permanent, the tomatoes' citric acid acts as a cleaning agent, often leaving Buñol’s streets cleaner than before.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Key Takeaways Clean your bathtub weekly to prevent soap scum, stains, and hard water buildup.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stains

Verb

Cloud Residence spoils you even further with one pool on the terrace and another pool and a hot tub on its roof.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Summer spoils passengers with long days to take in the changing scenery, and the Prairies reward with epic sunsets.

— Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of spoils

Verb

The usual analogy is that generative AI and LLMs are akin to a factory that pollutes local waters.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
The Chenab River runs red with blood while poison pollutes the five rivers of Punjab and spreads through the fertile soil.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

Definition of pollutes

Verb

Set in 2029 in a future where no mutants have been born in 25 years, Jackman plays an older, grizzlier Wolverine, one whose healing factor is fading as his adamantium skeleton slowly poisons him.

— Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
Any infection can progress to a systemic disease that poisons the blood and body.

— RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of poisons

Noun

Each flower must be picked and carefully dissected to remove three tiny red threads, known as stigmas.

— Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
This initiative led to crucial, culturally sensitive resources for Asian families while breaking down long-standing stigmas surrounding dementia.

— Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stigmas

Verb

Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Jacob Whitehead Homophobic chant mars Mexico’s win Before the World Cup, the Mexican football federation launched a campaign that featured the heroes of the country’s 1986 World Cup side.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Definition of mars

Verb

The stream will feature real-time views of the Sturgeon Moon as Earth's shadow darkens its surface in the skies above Portugal and Spain, weather permitting.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The planet becomes easier to identify as the sky darkens, making the best time for viewing during the late-night and early-morning hours.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of darkens

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taints

taipan

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

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Synonyms of taints

noun

verb

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