taint Definition
- 1a trace of a bad or undesirable quality or substance
- 2contaminate or pollute (something)
- 3affect with a bad or undesirable quality
Using taint: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "taint" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The scandal tainted his reputation.
Example
The water was tainted with lead.
Example
The food was tainted with salmonella.
Example
The company's success was tainted by unethical practices.
taint Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using taint
a mark of shame or disrepute that can negatively affect one's future prospects
Example
The criminal conviction was a taint on his record that made it hard for him to find a job.
to create a negative or unpleasant atmosphere
Example
The argument between the two coworkers taint the atmosphere in the office.
Example
The investigation left a taint of suspicion on the company's reputation.
Phrases with taint
the presence or influence of corrupt practices or individuals
Example
The government was accused of having a taint of corruption.
Example
Their relationship was full of lies and deceit, a tainted love that eventually fell apart.
to make it difficult to find an impartial jury for a trial due to pretrial publicity or other factors
Example
The media coverage of the case could taint the jury pool and affect the outcome of the trial.
Origins of taint
from Old French 'teint', meaning 'color, dye'
Summary: taint in Brief
'Taint' [teɪnt] refers to a trace of bad or undesirable quality or substance, which can contaminate or pollute something. It can also mean to affect something with a bad or undesirable quality. Examples include 'The water was tainted with lead.' and 'The company's success was tainted by unethical practices.' 'Taint' extends into phrases like 'tainted love,' and idioms like 'a taint on one's record,' denoting a mark of shame or disrepute.
