taint
1 of 2verb/teɪnt/
Forms:taints,tainting,tainted,tainted
1
to infect or dirty something with a disease or harmful microorganism
transitive- The outbreak taints the water supply with harmful bacteria.
- Raw meat can taint other foods in the refrigerator with pathogens.
- Flooding can taint crops with harmful bacteria from sewage.
- The virus tainted surfaces and objects, spreading illness to others.
- Insects can taint stored grains with molds and toxins.
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Antonyms:
2
to influence something with a harmful or negative quality
transitive- The scandal tainted his reputation forever.
- The rumors tainted her view of the whole situation.
- The judge’s decision was tainted by conflict of interest.
- The incident tainted their relationship, and they could never fully trust each other again.