colorants

plural of colorant
as in pigments
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 colorants There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession—there wasn’t really any other choice—but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade. Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026 But that other supplier would have to try to reverse engineer that particular dye — formulas for dyes and colorants were, in spite of being in service to the war effort, still proprietary — and backward engineering color from a finished product is a crapshoot. Kory Stamper, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 Founded in Brazil by Ailton Pereira, the process converts agro-industrial waste into textile colorants designed to reduce reliance on petrochemical dyes. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 5 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colorants
Noun
  • The researchers took samples of pigments from both ancient cave paintings and the surfaces of nearby unpainted rocks inside 11 caves.
    Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 2 July 2026
  • In a process known as photobleaching, the UV light breaks down the chemical bonds in pigments, which can brighten your whites.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Best shampoo treatment This shampoo’s formula is free of harsh chemicals such as lanolin, parabens, fragrances, and harmful dyes that can irritate the surface of the skin.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Renasens received the Innovation in Recycling Technology Award for its waterless process that strips dyes and separates fibers in blended garments while leaving them intact.
    Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Crow took the stage in a black vest and sparkly, navy blue pants that shimmered back the colors of the stage lights.
    Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • The smells are as intense as the colors of the tomatoes, strawberries, and lettuce from nearby farms.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Colorants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colorants. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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