taint

Leave a stain

To taint something literally is to pollute it, the way chemicals might taint a water supply.

In extended use, to taint someone’s reputation or perception is to affect it negatively with information, perhaps false information.

Taint is the result or fact of being tainted; cork taint happens when the cork spoils the taste of the wine.

A taint of something is the small but significant presence of a negative factor that diminishes it.

stigma

shame

Painful awareness of failure

disgraceLoss of honor
blotMark left by spillage
blemishVisible flaw or mark

smear · black mark · discredit · dishonor · infamy · scandal · reproach · notoriety · disrepute · ignominy

defect

flaw

Imperfection in something

imperfectionFault or shortcoming
faultImperfection or blame
blemishVisible flaw or mark

weakness · shortcoming · deficiency · mar · spot · mark · crack · irregularity · aberration · anomaly

contamination

polluted

Made impure by contaminants

contaminatedMade impure by contact
infectedInvaded by pathogens
poisonedMade toxic intentionally

impure · adulterated · toxic · corrupted · spoiled · fouled · sullied · tarnished · defiled · unclean

moral

corruption

Dishonest abuse of power

depravityProfound moral corruption
sinViolation of divine law
wickednessMoral corruption or evil

vice · immorality · dishonor · degradation · debasement · bribery · scandal · misconduct · malfeasance · graft

spoilage

rotten

Decomposed or corrupt

rancidDecomposed fat's quality
putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
sourSharp, biting taste

decayed · decomposed · moldy · expired · rank · foul · turned · curdled · fermented · perished

anatomy

perineum

Area between genitals, anus

groinHip-thigh junction
crotchLeg-joining body region
nether regionRealm of the dead

Categories

filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
go badrot, spoil, decay, mold, sour
literary themesheroism, hero's journey, ennui, social realism, morals
social stigmastigma, stigmatized, shame, shamed, disgrace
Perlmy, use, sub, print, if
West Country dialectproper job, girt, scrumpy, tis, twas

Opposites

purity/contamination

Remove unwanted substances

cleanse · sanitize · sterilize · purge · decontaminate

moral/reputational standing

tainthonor

High regard, moral dignity

glorify · ennoble · dignify · elevate · uplift

preservation/spoilage

Protect from loss

freshen · cure · protect · safeguard · conserve

Phrases

Tainted LoveCorrupted romantic attachment
tainted bloodBlood unsafe for transfusion
tainted meat
tainted evidenceLegally compromised courtroom materials

Family

stain, tainted, untainted, tainting, taints

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13