adj Uncommon

tainted

TAYN-tihd

Tainted (adj) means Contaminated, spoiled, or morally corrupted. Example: “The recall was issued after tainted meat was found in stores.”

adj

Contaminated, spoiled, or morally corrupted.

"The recall was issued after tainted meat was found in stores."

"His legacy is tainted by the fraud investigation."

Coming from a source that cannot be trusted.

"The judge threw out the tainted evidence."

How to use tainted

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSpoiled or corrupted, whether physically (food, water) or in reputation and trust (evidence, legacy).

Common pairings

tainted evidence tainted reputation tainted water

Word forms

more tainted comparative, most tainted superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “tainted” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The recall was issued after _____ meat was found in stores.

Rhymes for tainted

minted tinted painted pointed sainted anointed appointed imprinted acquainted disappointed

See all rhymes for tainted →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tainted” mean?

The word “tainted” means contaminated, spoiled, or morally corrupted. In plain terms, spoiled or corrupted, whether physically (food, water) or in reputation and trust (evidence, legacy).

How do you pronounce “tainted”?

“Tainted” is pronounced TAYN-tihd (/ˈteɪntɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “tainted” in a sentence?

Here is “tainted” used in a sentence: “The recall was issued after tainted meat was found in stores.”

What part of speech is “tainted”?

“Tainted” is an adjective.

Is “tainted” a common word?

“Tainted” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “tainted” have?

“Tainted” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: contaminated, spoiled, or morally corrupted.