stain 1 of 2

verb

ˈstān How to pronounce stain (audio)
Definition of stainnext
1
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat

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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

stain

2 of 2

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pigment
a substance used to color other materials applied several coats of stain to the wood

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stain
Verb
An ultraviolet light revealed the mats and brick flooring of the garage had likely been stained with blood. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 Now—before there is another name, another van, another street stained with blood that didn't have to be spilled. — Kica Matos, Time, 17 July 2026
Noun
To prevent any lasting stains, Morrison recommends wiping up the liquids as quickly and safely as possible. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026 These should be able to spot most stains in a reasonably dark room. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
  1. taint
  2. paint
  3. dirty
  4. blot
  5. pigment
  6. mar
  7. color
  8. blacken
Verb
  • More than two dozen California Democrats are confronting the FCC over its rare early review of Disney’s ABC station licenses, calling the process ideologically tainted and aimed at punishing critical media coverage.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
  • Why must everything be tainted by the overinflated ego of Cankles Muldoon?
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
Definition of taint
Verb
  • Another time it was painted green with ears to resemble Shrek's head.
    — Mandalit del Barco, NPR, 31 July 2026
  • It was draped over bars, painted onto subway walls and tattooed onto calves and forearms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of paint
Verb
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • The zipper shoe compartment keeps your shoes from dirtying up your clothing, and the massive interior can hold many outfits for your weekend getaway.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirty
Noun
  • This will likely go down as the lowest point – the blot on what has been a surprisingly bright summer.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026
  • The only blot on an otherwise solid opening week for the World Cup expansion loyalists.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of blot
Noun
  • This is because researchers had long assumed that the black pigments used by the paintings’ makers were purely mineral, making radiocarbon dating—a method that measures the amount of carbon-14 in organic materials—impossible.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026
  • That allows the pigment to transfer subtly into the lashes for a softer, more natural-looking finish.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
Definition of pigment
Verb
  • To prevent a similar war from happening again, Menelaus scarred her face, permanently marring her famous beauty.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • In an address from the White House tonight, the president sought to reveal proof for his baseless assertions of a 2020 vote marred by fraud.
    — Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Definition of mar
Verb
  • In the late 19th century, whiskey was frequently diluted, colored, or otherwise altered before reaching consumers.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • And while the ongoing lease negotiation is under entirely different circumstances, the move from the General Assembly has colored some of the conversations now.
    — DJ Simmons July 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026
Definition of color
Verb
  • Apart from the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires has left skies in some parts of the United States blackened and under an orange blaze.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • Elephant Fire The Elephant Fire, burning since July 11 in the Tahoe National Forest, has blackened nearly 14,000 acres in Sierra, Plumas and Lassen counties, and is 92% contained.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of blacken

Browse Nearby Words

staidness
stain
stained
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Cite this Entry

“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stain

Nglish: Translation of stain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stain

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