1
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to paint
to give color or a different color to
stained the table to look like cherry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dirty
to make dirty
oil stained his work pants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blot
a mark of guilt or disgrace
the stain of this cowardly act would haunt him for the rest of his career
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stain
Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, 1 July 2025
Police found items stained by blood in garbage bags in the living room closet.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025
Cody Godwin, USA Today, 20 July 2025
But my mother insisted that there would be no holes, no stains, no off-brands.
—Michael Thomas, New Yorker, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
Where her grandfather’s grapevines and orange trees once flourished, tomatoes, wheat and beans now thrive, tended by Hawkins and her 4-year-old son Zayne, who delights in stuffing his mouth with strawberries and elderberries until his face is stained magenta.
—Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, 1 July 2025
Police found items stained by blood in garbage bags in the living room closet.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025
Noun
Remove odors from washcloths or kitchen towels in between laundering and treat stains on your clothes.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 20 July 2025
But my mother insisted that there would be no holes, no stains, no off-brands.
—Michael Thomas, New Yorker, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
-
Zelensky, claims that these crackdowns are needed because anti-corruption investigations were tainted by Russian influence and were doing Putin’s bidding.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
24 July 2025
-
King’s family objected to the release, saying the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s surveillance of the progressive leader was tainted by the agency’s political bent at the time.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
Ratings As ever with modern-day viewing, ratings can paint a mixed picture.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
21 July 2025
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Those results are married to emails and interviews, and sometimes further testing – such as looking at supporting documentation – is necessary for painting a clearer picture.—
Jesse Silvertown,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Some were prosthetic buttocks, but others were people’s own buttocks, but in various states, like dirtied down and with partial covering.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
-
Crow-Armstrong has dirtied up the White Sox in six of those games, batting .458 with eight RBIs and a homer.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Wipe the area with a cloth dampened with cold water, then blot with a fresh sponge.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
This blot on our state suggests the need for a constitutional amendment to make the office safely independent of the governor.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Think warm neutrals, natural earthy pigments, soft and rich greens, and soothing blues.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 July 2025
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Supports Eye and Vision Health Spinach contains two pigments called carotenoids that are linked to eye health: lutein and zeaxanthin.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Sure, the game was marred by former commissioner Bud Selig declaring the 2002 edition a tie.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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The production Chosen had early in his career for the New York Jets and then with a 1,000-yard season for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 was marred by two arrests within a year between 2018 and 2019.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
14 July 2025
Verb
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After the first rinse, shampoo, and condition, skip shampooing for at least 48 hours after coloring to allow everything to settle and last longer.—
Essence,
Essence,
22 July 2025
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Free events give families a chance to learn about local reptiles and insects and their contribution to the environment through arts and crafts, wildlife toys, matching games, coloring pages and books, according to the park district said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
Leaves and buds that are bitten by frost will blacken and shrivel, sometimes all over the plant.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 July 2025
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Let skins blister and blacken, while turning peppers with tongs, until they’re evenly blackened, about 5 minutes.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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