tarnish

verb

ˈtär-nish How to pronounce tarnish (audio)
Definition of tarnishnext
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable a false accusation that nonetheless tarnished her reputation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tarnish Inevitably, Kreutzer’s film was tarnished by association and even withdrawn from some cinemas. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026 Both residents and politicians feared the court ruling would tarnish Kosovo’s independence struggle. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Both residents and politicians fear the court ruling would tarnish Kosovo's independence struggle. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026 For one Kansas City coffee shop, a video tarnishing the establishment ended up being a blessing in disguise. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tarnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarnish
  1. taint
  2. mar
  3. spoil
  4. stain
  5. poison
  6. darken
Verb
  • Or has dance music’s bad rap — as fun but vacuous and unserious — tainted the current version of the genre?
    — Rachel Narozniak, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2026
  • That means if the sewage system backs up, the sink could be tainted.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of taint
Verb
  • Possible char marks from a fire or damage from another source have marred the floor of a classroom at the modern but vacant public school campus at 1215 Miramar Street, on the edge of downtown.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The election process was marred by allegations of voter suppression, with Lula's campaign reporting suspended public transportation in some key areas, prompting the court to extend voting by two hours.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of mar
Verb
  • There has been no more satisfying slap in cinema this year than the one Erika lands on a smug German actor, leading to a wicked punchline that shouldn’t be spoiled.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Anthony Edwards hit nine 3-pointers and scored 45 points to join an elite club; LaMelo Ball scored 21 in his Minnesota debut, and the Timberwolves spoiled Giannis Antetokounmpo's first game with Miami by beating the Heat 131-106 on Wednesday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of spoil
Verb
  • The armpits of the Quran shirt are stained with centuries-old sweat.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In 2005, a vote-buying scheme known as Mensalão led to the conviction of senior PT figures and stained the party’s image.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • Its death, poisoned by anti-freeze in April 2020 during Spain’s COVID confinement, sparks on screen and real-life the first criminal investigation in Spain and Europe for an animal’s slaughter.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Above all, Flanagan understands how even a mother’s love can be poisoned by fear when Carrie uses her newfound powers to wrest control of the household from her mother.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of poison
Verb
  • But whether in Frankfurt or, later, Weimar — where Soviet officials are as keen to canonize Thomas — this father and daughter aren’t simply driving through Germany but taking a tour across fascism’s long shadow, which still darkens the world.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Visual Forensics The monument would darken the nation’s premier military burial ground early in the morning on more than 280 days a year, a Post analysis finds.
    — Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of darken

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Cite this Entry

“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarnish. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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