as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
tainted groundwater that is unfit to drink
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
However, arsenic is a naturally occurring substance that can contaminate groundwater and food irrigated with tainted water.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2025
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024
The effects of drinking raw milk tainted with bird flu are still uncertain.
—Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Adjective
The tainted Tylenol bottles had been sold at various drugstores across the Chicago area.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
However, arsenic is a naturally occurring substance that can contaminate groundwater and food irrigated with tainted water.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2025
Verb
But the appeals court said the appearance of a conflict still tainted Willis’ handling of the case.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024
The effects of drinking raw milk tainted with bird flu are still uncertain.
—Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tainted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tainted
Verb
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That number includes children, who represent 16 percent of those poisoned and 27 percent of all fatalities.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
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And guess what, hospitals are seeing cases of vitamin A toxicity — of kids poisoned by being fed too many vitamins instead of being vaccinated.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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An investigation determined that she was accidentally exposed to a contaminated batch of melatonin.—
Grace Jordan-Weinstein,
People.com,
12 July 2025
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According to Kelley Blue Book, water can destroy electrical and mechanical systems, and contaminated lubricants can lead to mold, rust, and corrosion over time.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Lennon's notoriously troubled upbringing was marred by paternal abandonment, frequent moves, and the sudden death of those closest to him, including his estranged mother Julia.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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The decision was not marred by procedural unfairness.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The net loss for the first quarter ended May 1 was $8.3 million, or 27 cents per diluted share, which was better than expected.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
5 June 2025
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The company reported a net loss of $483 million, equivalent to $1 per diluted share.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Vinegar, which is really dilute acetic acid, will help the milk curdle by further denaturing the whey proteins and neutralizing negative charges at the surface of casein micelles.—
Liz Roth-Johnson,
Discover Magazine,
12 Feb. 2013
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However toxic a substance may be, the amount of exposure received by the general population is very dilute.—
George Johnson,
Discover Magazine,
8 July 2013
Adjective
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The company in 2020 pleaded guilty to distributing adulterated ice-cream products and agreed to pay a fine over the outbreak.—
Dylan Tokar,
WSJ,
2 Feb. 2023
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And while most of those overdoses involved the illicit synthetic opioid fentanyl, experts say that an adulterated and contaminated drug supply is also leading to deaths.—
Nadia Kounang,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2022
Adjective
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Spokespeople for the state's two largest electric utilities — Arizona Public Service Co. and Salt River Project — suggested their respective utilities remained committed to mixed energy portfolios to meet future power needs.—
Sasha Hupka,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
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Coach Xabi Alonso’s press conference and the mixed zone interview session with players Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde and Jacobo Ramón were initially scheduled for 7:30 and 7:45 pm ET respectively, at MetLife Stadium.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tainted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tainted. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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