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untarnished

untarnished

2 5.5
Not spoiled or stained and still in good condition
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈtɑrnɪʃt/
translation icon : intachable
  • I can assure you, Governor, that your reputation is untarnished.
  • an untarnished reputation
  • an untarnished memory
  • remains untarnished

Examples

  • The author has passed on, and their work should remain unchanged and untarnished.

    Blog text (20)
  • And the songs are untarnished—boisterous and full of longing, interlaced with the beauty of childhood.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Then as I am half human, your record remains untarnished.

  • It's most generous of you to offer, Judd, but you can keep your principles untarnished now.

  • Creating a new narrative will probably also require bringing to Washington (and London) new leaders who are untarnished by the events of the last few years.

    Academic text (2007)
  • They tell me you're incorruptible, untarnished.

  • Beauty pageants on the UK campus were untarnished by controversy until the late 1930s when the practice of sending UK campus queens to compete in numerous civic and industry festivals off campus was questioned.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Here, the maid's cleaning of the glassware serves symbolically to suggest that all that is contained in Bernarda's house must be visibly untarnished.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The first rays of the setting sun lick the room, bathing it in immense brightness, engulfing the child, reflecting off her smooth, untarnished skin in such a way that she absorbs it and reflects it both at once.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The politician maintained an untarnished reputation even after the scandal.

Synonyms

pristine
vsuntarnished
63 5.1

Very clean and fresh, like new

uses the same pure idea but for reputation, not just objects
undamaged
vsuntarnished
12 2.4

Not harmed or broken and still in its original condition

applies this intact idea mainly to reputation and standing
unspoiled
vsuntarnished
11 3.9

Not damaged or rotten and still in a fresh, natural state

is specifically about reputation staying pure and unimpaired
unblemished
vsuntarnished
7 5.1

Free from any marks, damage, or bad actions

limits this to reputation left pure rather than any flaw type
unsullied
vsuntarnished
5 7.0

Completely clean and not spoiled or stained

emphasizes an unimpaired public standing rather than general purity
untainted
vsuntarnished
4 5.6

Not harmed by bad things, especially in reputation

highlights continuing pure state of reputation rather than just unaffected
stainless
vsuntarnished
1 6.3

Free from moral fault or shame in a person's character

is more about an overall unspoiled standing rather than formal purity
undefiled
vsuntarnished
1 9.9

Not spoiled by dirt, harm, or bad things

paints a broader idea of remaining unimpaired in reputation
unsmirched
vsuntarnished
  • Archaic
1 9.6

Free from stains, dirt, or a bad reputation

is similar but centers on lasting unimpaired reputation instead
unmarred
vsuntarnished
1 6.8

Not damaged or harmed

focuses more on intact reputation or record than on appearance
unstained
vsuntarnished
1 5.6

Not having a damaged reputation

focuses more on overall remaining pure and unimpaired
unsoiled
vsuntarnished
1 3.0

Clean and free from stains or dirt

applies the idea to reputation that stays pure, not just clean
unflawed
vsuntarnished
1 5.6

Free from mistakes or faults

narrows that perfection to an unimpaired reputation or record
uncorrupted
vsuntarnished
1 5.7

Still in its original good condition

translates this unchanged idea to a pure, unimpaired reputation
unbesmirched
vsuntarnished
  • Formal
9.1

Having a clean reputation with no scandal

is similar but speaks broadly of staying pure and unimpaired
unbruised
vsuntarnished
4.2

Not hurt in feelings or reputation after criticism

speaks to staying pure in reputation rather than lack of harm
incorrupted
vsuntarnished
  • Literature
9.9

Not spoiled and still pure in body or mind

is more general about staying pure and unimpaired in status
uncorrupt
vsuntarnished
6.0

Not decayed or spoiled, kept in original condition

focuses that preservation specifically on reputation or record

How Tarnished

untarnished
2 5.5
pristine
63 5.1

Surface Forms

untarnished positive

Morphology

untarnished = tarnished (transparent) = un + tarnish + ed

Formed by productive negation un- applied to the adjective 'tarnished', so learners who know 'tarnished' can infer 'not tarnished'.

Etymology

Untarnished is made of un- ('not') and tarnish ('to stain' or 'make dark'), like silver that goes dark over time. So an untarnished reputation, record, or piece of metal is one that stays pure and not spoiled.