1. Touched by rot or decay
   "tainted bacon";
   - corrupt [archaic]
    
2. Morally corrupted or discredited
   "His tainted reputation never recovered"

1. Contaminate with a disease or microorganism
   "The contaminated water tainted many villagers with cholera";
   - infect
    
2. (of someone's image or good reputation) damage, place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
   "the scandal taintd his good reputation";
   - defile, sully, cloud, stain, tarnish, soil

See also: stale

Type of: contaminate, deflower, foul, impair, mar, pollute, spoil, vitiate

Encyclopedia: Tainted