Meaning & use
taint
A trace of a bad, contaminating, or corrupting quality present in something otherwise good.
See it in a sentence
Even a small taint of scandal was enough to end the politician's campaign.
There was a taint of bitterness in his voice whenever he spoke about his old job.
A note on using this word
Often paired with prepositions like 'of', as in 'a taint of corruption', to name the specific quality that spoils something.
Words with a similar meaning
stainblemish
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To contaminate or spoil the purity, quality, or reputation of something.
Rumors of cheating tainted the team's championship victory.
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