tarnishes

verb

present tense third-person singular of tarnish
as in taints
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable a false accusation that nonetheless tarnished her reputation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 tarnishes Nothing tarnishes a league’s integrity more than a player or coach of that league gambling on it. — Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026 Real silver also tarnishes over time, so older silver without any tarnish can be a red flag. — Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 4 May 2026 This translated into a lot of polishing, as silver tarnishes pretty quickly when it’s exposed to things like air and water thanks to a chemical reaction between the silver and sulfur gases in the environment. — Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026 Crowe believes that Maximus fathering a son with a woman other than his wife tarnishes his character's legacy, as the gladiator's primary motivation in the original film is to avenge the deaths of his wife and son. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025 Ana Luisa Tired of budget-friendly jewelry that tarnishes after just a few wears? — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnishes
  1. taints
  2. mars
  3. spoils
  4. darkens
  5. poisons
  6. stains
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
Definition of taints
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
  • 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 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
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
Verb
  • The self-tan wipes are easy to apply and contain exfoliating acids that smooth the skin, plus encapsulated DHA (the ingredient that stains the skin) to leave behind a radiant tan.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Homemade plum compote stains the filling with a vibrant red ribbon.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of stains

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tarnishes
tarnishing
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Cite this Entry

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

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