TAINT Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'taint' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of taint are contaminate , defile , and pollute . While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination. // tainted meat // a politician's tainted reputation

Q: When would 'contaminate' be a good substitute for 'taint'?

While in some cases nearly identical to taint , contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source. // water contaminated by industrial wastes

Q: When can 'defile' be used instead of 'taint'?

The words defile and taint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration. // defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

Q: When is 'pollute' a more appropriate choice than 'taint'?

Although the words pollute and taint have much in common, pollute , sometimes interchangeable with contaminate , distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy. // the polluted waters of the river

taint 1 of 2

noun

Definition of taint next

as in stain

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

taint

2 of 2

verb

ˈtānt

as in to poison

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

as in to pollute

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb taint contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of taint are contaminate, defile, and pollute. While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat

a politician's tainted reputation

When would contaminate be a good substitute for taint?

While in some cases nearly identical to taint, contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

When can defile be used instead of taint?

The words defile and taint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration.

defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

When is pollute a more appropriate choice than taint?

Although the words pollute and taint have much in common, pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy.

the polluted waters of the river

Examples 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 taint

Noun

The Present Climate change is altering the chemistry of wine Smoke taint from wildfires is gross, even to wine amateurs. —

Big Think, 24 June 2024 Pollution taints even the most remote parts of Everglades, canoe journey reveals Humans also absorb microplastics through our skin. —

Gillian O’Callaghan, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2024

Verb

Onions in the company's Quarter Pounder at some locations were tainted, causing a number of people to become sick. —

Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 The Dodgers lost to the Houston Astros in a seven-game 2017 World Series that was ultimately tainted by the Houston sign-stealing scandal. —

Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for taint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taint

Noun

That’s a stain that won’t wash away from this would-be American oligarch no matter who wins.

Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Investigators searched his white Jetta but did not find any shards of glass or blood stains.

Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024