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to untaint

to untaint

1 7.6
To remove a stain or impurity so something becomes clean
  • verb
  • /ʌnˈteɪnt/
translation icon : limpiar
  • When the environmental problems of the urban core proved too much to bear, white Atlantans fled to suburban oases where they could enjoy fresh water, untainted by urban filth.

Examples

  • There are some genuine dissidents in Cuba untainted by either government and not weakened by infighting.

    Academic text (2007)
  • It should therefore be pristine, untainted by subjective speculation.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The assumption is that the criterion of dissimilarity will render an objective picture of Jesus untainted by the faith claims of the Church.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Clouet's style, like that of the Cubists, was deemed "natural," a reflection of Celtic "origins" untainted by foreign elements.

    Academic text (1992)
  • You've created a powerful legacy of works, untainted by mediocrity, which will continue to inspire and move our hearts and minds for many years to come.

    Blog text (8)
  • The scientist worked tirelessly to untaint the water supply, ensuring that it was safe for the community.

  • Efforts to untaint the reputation of the organization were successful after they addressed the allegations directly.

  • The artist wanted to untaint her work from the influence of others, striving for originality in every piece.

Synonyms

to clean
vsto untaint
1.0

To remove dirt and stains

focuses more on removing corruption or moral impurity, not just dirt
to cleanse
vsto untaint
  • Formal
73 4.8

Make a person or place free from unwanted feelings such as guilt

also applies to physical dirt and material impurities
to refine
vsto untaint
  • Specialized
41 3.9

Remove unwanted parts from a material to make it pure

is more general, covering moral and physical cleansing too
to purify
vsto untaint
  • Formal
28 5.1

To make someone feel morally clean and free from guilt

is broader, removing corruption, stains, or any impurity
to wash out
vsto untaint
9 2.0

Clean something using water to remove dirt or stains

is less about washing and more about removing corruption broadly
to remove the stain
vsto untaint
1 2.9

Get rid of a mark on clothes or other things by cleaning

covers that action plus removing deeper corruption or impurity
to unsmirch
vsto untaint
9.9

To remove a stain or blame from someone's name

is used more broadly to clear physical or moral contamination
to destain
vsto untaint
  • Specialized
9.0

To remove dye from a laboratory sample to make details visible under a microscope

is broader, not limited to lab work or microscopy

How Clean

to sterilize
  • Specialized
29 4.1
to purify
30 4.6
to untaint
1 7.6
to clean
1.0
wash
89 1.0
rinse
8 1.0

Surface Forms

untaint infinitive
untainted past
untainted past participle
untainting present participle
untaints third person singular

Morphology

untaint = taint (transparent) = un + taint

The negative prefix 'un-' directly reverses the action of 'taint', so the meaning is a straightforward negation: to remove a stain or corruption.

Etymology

Untaint comes from un- 'not' and taint 'stain' or 'make dirty', like washing a cloth to remove a mark. So to untaint something is to take away a stain or impurity.