1. contaminated or spoiled by something harmful or undesirable
2. having a damaged reputation due to association with something disreputable

Examples

• The tainted water supply made several residents ill.
• Officials recalled the tainted meat products from grocery stores.
• His reputation was tainted by the corruption scandal.
• The evidence was considered tainted because it was obtained illegally.
• She refused to accept money from tainted sources.
• The tainted blood samples had to be discarded.
• The politician’s career was tainted by allegations of bribery.