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

Four families living near Meta’s Newton County data center are suing the tech giant, claiming the massive facility taints their drinking water and disrupts their daily lives. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026 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

Covers shield upholstery from coffee spills, food stains, pet accidents and everyday messes.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Adding baking soda to interior grease stains can act as a gentle abrasive to scrub them away.

— Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of stains

Verb

This story spoils the plot of the film Whalefall, now out in theaters, based on Daniel Kraus‘ novel.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
The royal banquet is supposed to be a celebration of Macbeth’s power, but the presence of the morally upright ghost spoils everything!

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 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

Courtesy of WorldSkills Is one of the world’s most pernicious social stigmas finally lifting?

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026
Dating with a pet — any pet — brings with it obstacles, but our cat stigmas aren’t helping.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 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

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taintless

taints

taipan

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Style

“Taints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taints. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of taints

noun

verb

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