as in colorful
marked by a variety of usually vivid colors
the highly colored glassware that is the studio's hallmark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in painted
to give color or a different color to
per the couple's request, the baker used natural ingredients like beet juice and turmeric to color the icing for the wedding cake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exaggerated
to add to the interest of by including made-up details
he gave a highly colored version of a rather mundane experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in distorted
to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of
his news reporting is colored by his prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in blushed
to develop a rosy facial color (as from excitement or embarrassment)
she colored after hearing the nasty remarks about her weight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 colored
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The outfit was supposed to have matching pants, but it was reported by Sports Illustrated that Day was told by Augusta National to wear normal, solid-colored pants instead.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Kate paired it with the Bahrain pearl drop earrings, the toffee-colored Nano Montreal bag from her beloved DeMellier, and gold calfskin Ralph Lauren pumps.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
The victim appeared to be middle-aged and was wearing a dark colored hooded coat.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
To close out the gallery, Scherzinger shared a photo of herself standing beside Evans, who was dressed in nothing but a multi-colored swim briefs and blue running shoes.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
The first summer Mike joined us for our annual pilgrimage to Watch Hill, Rhode Island—the last summer my dad was able to travel—the two of them spent hours bopping around the pastel-colored shops.
—Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
Then wander next door to Queenstown Marina, a modern counterpoint to the heritage cafe that consists of a bakery, a Pilates studio and watersports outfitters housed in candy-colored floating sheds.
—New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
In London, Sadie Sink attended the press night afterparty for Romeo & Juliet in an ivory-colored satin gown by Prada.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Lindsey Mather, Architectural Digest, 7 Apr. 2026
But much like other corals, those born in the darkness can be brightly colored.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
They’re carefully shaped to produce random outcomes and marked or colored to indicate different sides.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Eyes colored blue in an easy sort of way, like a cloudless sky.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Playful, candy-colored, and instantly recognizable, the print screams Y2K princess energy, with endless variations to match.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
While the movie has some fun asking whether people actually want to know everything about their partners (a devil’s bargain since time immemorial), its real interest lies in how that knowledge is colored by who shares it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
The organ that colored all the earlier tales of youthful exuberance now plays a funeral dirge.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
That wasn’t what my family or church taught, but Christians who subscribed to those beliefs were suddenly ascendant, and their thinking colored the country’s religious landscape.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Last week, before the court recessed for Easter, John briefly took the stand, legs and hands shackled and dressed in a khaki-colored prison uniform.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The outfit was supposed to have matching pants, but it was reported by Sports Illustrated that Day was told by Augusta National to wear normal, solid-colored pants instead.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Kate paired it with the Bahrain pearl drop earrings, the toffee-colored Nano Montreal bag from her beloved DeMellier, and gold calfskin Ralph Lauren pumps.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
The victim appeared to be middle-aged and was wearing a dark colored hooded coat.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
To close out the gallery, Scherzinger shared a photo of herself standing beside Evans, who was dressed in nothing but a multi-colored swim briefs and blue running shoes.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
The first summer Mike joined us for our annual pilgrimage to Watch Hill, Rhode Island—the last summer my dad was able to travel—the two of them spent hours bopping around the pastel-colored shops.
—Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
Then wander next door to Queenstown Marina, a modern counterpoint to the heritage cafe that consists of a bakery, a Pilates studio and watersports outfitters housed in candy-colored floating sheds.
—New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
In London, Sadie Sink attended the press night afterparty for Romeo & Juliet in an ivory-colored satin gown by Prada.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The plum colored built-ins add lots of personality to the small space.
—Lindsey Mather, Architectural Digest, 7 Apr. 2026
But much like other corals, those born in the darkness can be brightly colored.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
They’re carefully shaped to produce random outcomes and marked or colored to indicate different sides.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Eyes colored blue in an easy sort of way, like a cloudless sky.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Playful, candy-colored, and instantly recognizable, the print screams Y2K princess energy, with endless variations to match.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
While the movie has some fun asking whether people actually want to know everything about their partners (a devil’s bargain since time immemorial), its real interest lies in how that knowledge is colored by who shares it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
The organ that colored all the earlier tales of youthful exuberance now plays a funeral dirge.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
That wasn’t what my family or church taught, but Christians who subscribed to those beliefs were suddenly ascendant, and their thinking colored the country’s religious landscape.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colored
Adjective
-
This neighborhood is distinctly local and aesthetic — think colorful murals, indie shops and a creative energy that feels nothing like the Broadway tourist scene.—
Lauren Schuster,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
For an even more colorful choice, red-hot pairs from Le Monde Beryl or even Khaite’s rich mahogany slingbacks break up any monochromatic look beautifully.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In his annual letter to shareholders, released Monday, the JPMorgan CEO painted a mostly rosy picture of the US economy going into 2026.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
-
As well as her most recognizable fish, a whole, butterflied white fish, beautifully charred on the grill and painted with both red adobo and a garlic-parsley rub.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There are also credible questions over whether Mills exaggerated his military record during his first campaign.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Slightly shimmering effects reflect light in a subtle way, bringing luminosity without being exaggerated; it can be glazed donut–style chrome, or for a more intense effect try a cat-eye finish.—
Andrea Carbajal,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Objects were frequently distorted or missing key components.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
One slide showed the Pirates of the Caribbean alum on a FaceTime call with Daisy, whose face was distorted by a funny filter and framed by blonde side bangs.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Martha and the Dutch boy glanced at each other again and blushed.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
When asked about his cousin — Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia — Acuña nearly blushed with admiration.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Several California cities have levied taxes on empty homes and lots, with varied success.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The City Council passed four ordinances in 2025 that together encourage the construction of more varied housing types, and by extension, greater density — with the ultimate aim of lowering home prices in a notoriously expensive metro housing market.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To complete your routine, check out more makeup that doubles as skincare below, like Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin foundation from the same collection, tinted lip balms with SPF, hydrating under-eye brighteners, and more.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Gutierrez was ultimately convicted in Kane County court for that offense, and for having tinted windows and obstructing a police officer, according to court records.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Steyer, who’s polling ahead of Swalwell in some surveys, has reportedly padded his campaign coffers with more than $38 million of his own cash.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Materials should be comfortable, well-padded, durable and easy to clean, with waterproof options useful for outdoor or travel use.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colored.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colored. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
