Definition of colorantnext
as in pigment
a substance used to color other materials in ancient times, a mollusk was used to produce a rich purple colorant for clothing and linens

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 colorant It is used to make liquid shellac, a brush-on colorant and wood finish, and is found in shampoos, aluminum foil and lipstick. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026 Twenty-six other states have followed in California’s footsteps with legislation — some signed into law, others still in progress — that would either ban, restrict or require labels for artificial colorants. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026 Every Rae product remains vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and free from harmful fillers, colorants, and artificial preservatives. Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 16 Dec. 2025 But the replacements are still made of complex materials that include additives like colorants; the chemicals can react in ways the companies may not intend or understand, Boucher says. Matt Fuchs, Time, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for colorant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colorant
Noun
  • There, surrounding his tomb, visitors will find walls covered in some of Goya’s finest frescoes, restored to their vivid, original pigment tones, along with the church interior and building structure itself, reports the Times of London.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026
  • And these pigment pros aren’t here to gatekeep.
    Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • But there are also places like Bar DKDC, a small music venue next to the beauty salon turned restaurant where Priscilla Presley got her curl-and-dye job.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • Add a color-catcher sheet that will capture some of the loose dyes that may be in the wash water.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Last year, Makary appeared at a news conference announcing the HHS and FDA would be implementing a series of measures to phase out eight artificial food dyes and colorings from America's food supply by the end of 2026.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 12 May 2026
  • Most complexity theorists study how hard problems like three-coloring are (in this case, how many steps are needed to find a valid coloring).
    Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • For those looking to recreate Hudson’s look, this striped blouse rings similar — while the star’s contrasting colors include pink and blue, this blue-and-white version is an equally delicate design with the lighter hue at the forefront.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
  • In between, there are even taller art sculptures in red, green, or black colors.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Colorant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colorant. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on colorant

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster