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

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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 colorants Updates across the lists include new restrictions on flame retardants and colorants, new or tightened limits on some chemicals and metals, and new substance limits for jewelry. Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • Red apples produce anthocyanins – antioxidant pigments responsible for their red color – while green apples retain more chlorophyll, the pigment that gives them their green appearance.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The pigments act like sunscreen, blocking the UV rays from reaching the wood.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The announcement follows recent measures taken by Mars to eliminate artificial dyes from its candies.
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Starting Thursday, new versions of M&M's, Skittles and Starburst made without artificial food dyes are available to consumers on Amazon.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The logo pairs yellow, drawn from colors associated with celebration in Tamil Nadu including turmeric and marigold, with electric blue for a contemporary, premium look.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Xerjoff’s distinctive flacon is bathed in three dynamic colors that boldly represent Lamborghini’s super sports cars.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Colorants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colorants. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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