This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn more

Taint synonyms

Sorting by
Votes
spoil
To be damaged or injured in such a way as to become useless, valueless, etc.; specif., to decay, as food
0
0
  1. To be damaged or injured in such a way as to become useless, valueless, etc.; specif., to decay, as food
  2. To overindulge so as to cause to demand or expect too much
  3. To become unfit for use or consumption, as from decay. Used especially of perishables, such as food.
infect
To cause to become diseased by bringing into contact with such an organism or matter
0
0
  1. To cause to become diseased by bringing into contact with such an organism or matter
  2. (Computers) To become transmitted to and copied on (a hard drive, for example). Used of a virus or other harmful software.
  3. To cause the invasion of (a cell, for example) with a microorganism or other infectious agent:
rot
To become unhealthy, sickly, etc.
0
0
  1. To become unhealthy, sickly, etc.
  2. To cause to rot, or decompose
  3. To decompose gradually by the action of bacteria, fungi, etc.; decay; spoil
deprave
(Obs.) To defame or slander
0
0
  1. (Obs.) To defame or slander
  2. To lead into bad habits; make morally bad; corrupt; pervert
  3. To debase, especially morally; corrupt.
debase
To lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade.
0
0
  1. To lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade.
  2. (Archaic) To lower in position or rank.
  3. To lower the value of (a currency) by reducing the amount of valuable metal in the coins.
defile
To make filthy or dirty; pollute:
0
0
  1. To make filthy or dirty; pollute:
  2. To march in single file or in files or columns.
  3. To have sexual intercourse with (a woman who is a virgin).
break down
(Ergative) (to cause) to decay, to decompose
0
0
  1. (Ergative) (to cause) to decay, to decompose
  2. (Ergative, figuratively) to divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of
  3. (Ergative, figuratively) to render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally
decay
To lose strength, soundness, health, beauty, prosperity, etc. gradually; waste away; deteriorate
0
0
  1. To lose strength, soundness, health, beauty, prosperity, etc. gradually; waste away; deteriorate
  2. (Physics) To disintegrate in a process of radioactive decay or particle decay.
  3. To fall into ruin:
decompose
To rot or cause to rot; decay; putrefy.
0
0
  1. To rot or cause to rot; decay; putrefy.
  2. To separate or break down something into its components; to disintegrate or fragment
  3. To become broken down into components; disintegrate.
deteriorate
To grow worse; degenerate:
0
0
  1. To grow worse; degenerate:
  2. To make or become worse; lower in quality or value; depreciate
  3. To diminish or impair in quality, character, or value:
disintegrate
(Physics & Chemistry) To decompose, decay, or undergo a nuclear transformation.
0
0
  1. (Physics & Chemistry) To decompose, decay, or undergo a nuclear transformation.
  2. To undergo or cause to undergo a nuclear transformation as a result of radioactive decay or a nuclear reaction
  3. To become reduced to components, fragments, or particles.
molder
To cause to crumble.
0
0
  1. To cause to crumble.
  2. To crumble into dust; decay; waste away
  3. To decay to dust, to disintegrate from rot.
putrefy
To reach an advanced stage of decomposition.
0
0
  1. To reach an advanced stage of decomposition.
  2. To decay or cause to decay and have a foul odor.
  3. To become filled with a pus-like or bile-like substance.
rot
To fall or pass (off, away, etc.) by decaying
0
0
  1. To fall or pass (off, away, etc.) by decaying
  2. To decay morally; become degenerate.
  3. To disappear or fall by decaying:
spoil
To impair or destroy the value or quality of; ruin:
0
0
  1. To impair or destroy the value or quality of; ruin:
  2. To be damaged or injured in such a way as to become useless, valueless, etc.; specif., to decay, as food
  3. To become unfit for use or consumption, as from decay. Used especially of perishables, such as food.
turn
To change the position of so that the underside becomes the upper side:
0
0
  1. To change the position of so that the underside becomes the upper side:
  2. To get by buying and selling:
  3. To divert or deflect:
contaminate
To expose to or permeate with radioactivity.
0
0
  1. To expose to or permeate with radioactivity.
  2. To make impure, infected, corrupt, radioactive, etc. by contact with something or by the addition of something; pollute; defile; sully; taint
  3. (Linguistics) To influence the semantic properties or phonological form of (a word or phrase); blend with:
corrupt
(--- Archaic) To render impure; contaminate.
0
0
  1. (--- Archaic) To render impure; contaminate.
  2. To destroy or subvert the honesty or integrity of, as by offering bribes:
  3. To alter from original or proper form:
defile
To profane or sully
0
0
  1. To profane or sully
  2. To debase the pureness or excellence of; corrupt:
  3. To profane or sully (a reputation, for example).
infect
To cause to become diseased by bringing into contact with such an organism or matter
0
0
  1. To cause to become diseased by bringing into contact with such an organism or matter
  2. To affect by transmission or be communicated to. Used of an idea, emotion, or attitude:
  3. To contaminate with a pathogenic microorganism or agent:
pollute
To render impure or morally harmful; corrupt:
0
0
  1. To render impure or morally harmful; corrupt:
  2. To make less suitable for an activity, especially by the introduction of unwanted factors:
  3. To contaminate (water, air, etc.) with harmful chemicals, waste material, etc.
soil
Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
0
0
  1. Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
  2. The loose top layer of the Earth's surface, consisting of rock and mineral particles mixed with decayed organic matter (humus), and capable of retaining water, providing nutrients for plants, and supporting a wide range of biotic communities. Soil is formed by a combination of depositional, chemical, and biological processes and plays an important role in the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles. Soil types vary widely from one region to another, depending on the type of bedrock they overlie and the climate in which they form. In wet and humid regions, for example, soils tend to be thicker than they do in dry regions.
  3. To feed, as cattle or horses, in the barn or an enclosure, with fresh grass or green food cut for them, instead of sending them out to pasture; hence (such food having the effect of purging them), to purge by feeding on green food.
befoul
To cast aspersions upon; speak badly of.
0
0
  1. To cast aspersions upon; speak badly of.
  2. To make filthy; dirty; soil
  3. To entangle or run against so as to impede motion.
besmear
To smear.
0
0
  1. To smear.
  2. To smear over; bedaub; soil
besmirch
To stain; sully:
0
0
  1. To stain; sully:
  2. To bring dishonor to; sully
  3. To make dirty; soil.
bespatter
(Figuratively) To asperse with calumny or reproach; shend.
0
0
  1. (Figuratively) To asperse with calumny or reproach; shend.
  2. To spatter or cover with something; sprinkle with anything liquid, or with any wet or adhesive substance.
  3. To soil by spattering.
blacken
To hurt or damage by slander, libel, etc.
0
0
  1. To hurt or damage by slander, libel, etc.
  2. To become dark or black:
  3. To coat (fish or meat, for example) with pepper and other spices and then quickly sear in a very hot skillet, thereby producing meat that is black on the outside but tender on the inside.
cloud
To show sorrow, worry, or anger:
0
0
  1. To show sorrow, worry, or anger:
  2. A distinguishable mass of particles or gas, such as the collection of gases and dust in a nebula.
  3. A visible body of very fine water droplets or ice particles suspended in the atmosphere at altitudes ranging up to several miles above sea level. Clouds are formed when air that contains water vapor cools below the dew point.
denigrate
(Archaic) To blacken
0
0
  1. (Archaic) To blacken
  2. To disparage; belittle:
  3. To attack the character or reputation of; speak ill of; defame:
dirty
To become soiled.
0
0
  1. To become soiled.
  2. To make or become dirty; soil; tarnish; stain
  3. To stain or tarnish with dishonor.
smear
To spread easily in an undesired way:
0
0
  1. To spread easily in an undesired way:
  2. To spread or daub (a surface, for example) with a sticky, greasy, or dirty substance.
  3. To cover, daub, or soil with something greasy, sticky, or dirty
smudge
To become smudged or blurred:
0
0
  1. To become smudged or blurred:
  2. To make dirty, especially in one small area:
  3. To fill (an orchard or an inhabited area) with dense smoke from a smudge pot in order to prevent damage from frost or to repel insects.
smut
Any of the various plant diseases caused by smuts, such as corn smut.
0
0
  1. Any of the various plant diseases caused by smuts, such as corn smut.
  2. Any of various bacidiomycete fungi that are parasitic on plants and are distinguished by the black, powdery masses of spores that appear as sooty smudges on the affected plant parts. Smuts are parasitic chiefly on cereal grasses like corn and wheat and can cause enormous damage to crops.
  3. To affect (a plant) with smut fungus.
soil
Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
0
0
  1. Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
  2. The loose top layer of the Earth's surface, consisting of rock and mineral particles mixed with decayed organic matter (humus), and capable of retaining water, providing nutrients for plants, and supporting a wide range of biotic communities. Soil is formed by a combination of depositional, chemical, and biological processes and plays an important role in the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles. Soil types vary widely from one region to another, depending on the type of bedrock they overlie and the climate in which they form. In wet and humid regions, for example, soils tend to be thicker than they do in dry regions.
  3. To feed, as cattle or horses, in the barn or an enclosure, with fresh grass or green food cut for them, instead of sending them out to pasture; hence (such food having the effect of purging them), to purge by feeding on green food.
spatter
To come forth in drops or small amounts:
0
0
  1. To come forth in drops or small amounts:
  2. To spot, splash, or soil with drops or small amounts:
  3. To splash, spot, or soil with such drops or blobs
stain
To change the appearance of (wood, glass, etc.) by applying a dye, pigment, etc.
0
0
  1. To change the appearance of (wood, glass, etc.) by applying a dye, pigment, etc.
  2. To change the color of (a piece of wood, for example) by applying a stain.
  3. To discolor, soil, or spot:
sully
To defile; taint:
0
0
  1. To defile; taint:
  2. (Obs.) To become sullied
  3. To soil, stain, tarnish, or besmirch, now esp. by disgracing
tarnish
To dull the luster of; discolor, especially by exposure to air or dirt:
0
0
  1. To dull the luster of; discolor, especially by exposure to air or dirt:
  2. To lose luster; become discolored:
  3. To dull the luster of or discolor the surface of (a metal) as by exposure to air
black eye
(Informal) Shame or dishonor, or a cause or source of this
0
0
  1. (Informal) Shame or dishonor, or a cause or source of this
  2. A discoloration of the skin or flesh surrounding an eye, resulting from a sharp blow or contusion
  3. A bruised discoloration of the flesh surrounding the eye, often resulting from a blow.
blemish
Any flaw, defect, or shortcoming
0
0
  1. Any flaw, defect, or shortcoming
  2. A small mark that makes the appearance of something less attractive.
  3. A mark that mars the appearance, as a stain, spot, scar, etc.
blot
(Backgammon) An exposed piece, liable to capture
0
0
  1. (Backgammon) An exposed piece, liable to capture
  2. A spot or a stain caused by a discoloring substance:
  3. A spot or stain, esp. of ink
onus
Burden of proof
0
0
  1. Burden of proof
  2. Responsibility for an error or fault; blame:
  3. A difficult or unpleasant task, duty, etc.; burden
spot
The number of points, etc. assigned by gamblers to one side in a contest, in an attempt to equalize betting on both sides
0
0
  1. The number of points, etc. assigned by gamblers to one side in a contest, in an attempt to equalize betting on both sides
  2. A small area:
  3. (Informal) A spot advertisement or announcement
stain
A dye or pigment in solution, esp. one that penetrates a wood surface
0
0
  1. A dye or pigment in solution, esp. one that penetrates a wood surface
  2. A liquid substance applied especially to wood that penetrates the surface and imparts a rich color.
  3. A discoloration, streak, or spot resulting from staining
stigma
Something that detracts from the character or reputation of a person, group, etc.; mark of disgrace or reproach
0
0
  1. Something that detracts from the character or reputation of a person, group, etc.; mark of disgrace or reproach
  2. (Archaic) A mark burned into the skin as a visible identifier of a person as a criminal or slave; a brand.
  3. A spot on the skin, esp. one that bleeds as the result of certain nervous tensions
tarnish
The condition of being disgraced or made less estimable:
0
0
  1. The condition of being disgraced or made less estimable:
  2. The condition of being tarnished:
  3. A stain; blemish
attaint
(Archaic) A taint; disgrace
0
0
  1. (Archaic) A taint; disgrace
  2. A disgrace; a stigma.
  3. (Obs.) A touch or hit in tilting
Find another word for taint. In this page you can discover 64 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for taint, like: spoil, infect, rot, deprave, debase, defile, contaminate, decay, corrupt, contaminate and break down.

Sentence Examples

  • It might taint Fred's open mind.

  • There is always a taint of feeling in man's goodness.

  • That he came from the mortal world rather than the Immortal one had left a taint on him that no amount of success could get rid of.

  • Mecca itself was taken; plundering was forbidden, but the tombs of the saints and all objects of veneration were ruthlessly destroyed, and all ceremonies which seemed in the eye of the stern puritan conqueror to suggest the taint of idolatry were forbidden.

  • At the present day, "usury," if used in the old sense of the term, would embrace a multitude of modes of receiving interest upon capital to which not the slightest moral taint is attached.

More sentences →

Related Articles

More Articles →

Words that mention taint in the Dictionary

Words near taint in the Thesaurus