taint
word
Definition
To taint something means to spoil it, especially by making it dirty, impure, or morally wrong. It can refer to both physical contamination and damaging someone’s reputation.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly formal or literary. Often used with 'reputation', 'evidence', or 'purity'. Can refer to both literal (food, water) and figurative (honor, reputation) contamination. Don't confuse with 'taint' as a slang term, which is vulgar and unrelated.
Spanish: manchar - contaminarPortuguese (BR): manchar - contaminarPortuguese (PT): manchar - contaminarChinese (Simplified): 污染 - 玷污Chinese (Traditional): 污染 - 玷污Hindi: दाग़ लगाना - दूषित करनाArabic: تلوث - تشويهBengali: দূষিত করা - কলঙ্কিত করাRussian: загрязнять - портить - пятнатьJapanese: 汚す - 損なうVietnamese: làm ô nhiễm - làm hoen ốKorean: 오염시키다 - 더럽히다Turkish: kirletmek - lekelemekUrdu: آلودہ کرنا - داغدار کرناIndonesian: mencemari - menodai
Example Sentences
The water was tainted by chemicals.
basic
His reputation was tainted by the scandal.
basic
Eating tainted food can make you sick.
basic
She refused to let one mistake taint her entire career.
natural
The evidence was tainted, so the case was dismissed.
natural
Even a small lie can taint people’s trust in you.
natural