Meaning & use

tainted

adjective·Academic

Contaminated, spoiled, or morally corrupted in a way that reduces value or trust.

See it in a sentence

The recall involved batches of tainted meat found to carry bacteria.

His reputation was tainted after the scandal, even though he was never charged.

A note on using this word

Tainted applies both to physical contamination, like food, and to abstract damage, like a reputation or record.

Words with a similar meaning

contaminatedcorrupted

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

pureuntainted

Make it your own

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