n. Function: verb
1 to touch or affect with something bad or undesirable FF1C; his good reputation was tainted by the scandal FF1E;
Synonyms: besmear, besmirch, blur, cloud, defile, dirty, discolor, smear, smudge, smut, smutch, soil, stain, sully, tar, tarnish; compare CONTAMINATE 1
Related Words: discredit; brand, stigmatize; blacken; damage, harm, hurt
Idioms: cast a slur upon; give a bad name to, give a black mark to
Contrasted Words: brighten, cleanse, clear
2
Synonyms: DECAY , break down, crumble, decompose, disintegrate, molder, putrefy, rot, spoil, turn
Related Words: befoul, contaminate, foul
3
Synonyms: CONTAMINATE 1, defile, pollute, soil