1
2
as in color
the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face
the pale coloring of people of Irish descent
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts
the unexciting facts were given a sensational coloring in the local news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in painting
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 exaggerating
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 distorting
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 blushing
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 coloring
Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 2 Apr. 2026
Both brands have gradually lost market share over the past five years as parents shift to drinks with reduced sugar or natural coloring, according to Numerator.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
As someone who’s spent half her life coloring her hair–from bleach blonde to cherry red–I’m well acquainted with both the thrill and the responsibility that comes with a new shade.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coloring
Noun
Instead, females appear with golden-green coloring with a white underside, according to All About Birds.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 2 Apr. 2026
Both brands have gradually lost market share over the past five years as parents shift to drinks with reduced sugar or natural coloring, according to Numerator.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The most common culprits include chemical treatments and exposure (think blow-drying, heat-styling, perming, keratin treatments, bleaching, and all types of hair coloring), drying or stripping hair products, and infrequent haircuts.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
As someone who’s spent half her life coloring her hair–from bleach blonde to cherry red–I’m well acquainted with both the thrill and the responsibility that comes with a new shade.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coloring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coloring
Noun
-
The pigment was traditionally made by grinding the female Cochineal insect.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
High octane-pigments, gemstone appliqués, and iridescent sparkle across the eyes, lips, and bridge of the nose define the contemporary trend for playful, expressive makeup.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The rooms The 106 rooms were given an autumnal, woody touch with a period-appropriate color palette—dull green, bronze, chocolatey brown, ochre, dusty white and terracotta—that feels at once fresh and nostalgic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Glover is the first person of color to fly to the moon.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This, and jokes like it, transcend absurd exaggeration to achieve something much closer to magical realism.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Behind the private gates of Clos du Lac, where vineyards edge the winding roads, one hilltop estate overlooking Folsom Lake pulls off the Mediterranean spirit so seamlessly that comparisons to the Italian countryside don’t feel like exaggeration.—
David Caraccio
March 28,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Other artistic pursuits, from painting landscapes to taking salsa lessons, have similar benefits.—
Keith Wagstaff,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The failure is its own, and painting this as the creative team not delivering, and alienating Gellar in the process, only makes reviving the franchise that much harder.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose term featured record numbers of disappearances and homicides, complained that political adversaries were exaggerating the problem to smear his reputation and legacy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Analysts note that the Russia Defense ministry has a habit of exaggerating advances when the frontlines are scarcely changing.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The front has square glass block masonry on the lower half, which lets light in while reducing what's visible outside by distorting the view.—
Stefan Ionescu
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Kyle is just outing herself as a gossip and is distorting what everyone has to say to try to one-up Dorit in her own life.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sink and Jupe’s chemistry is palpable, and their first kiss is slow and sweet, with Sink’s face blushing a blazing red.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The New York Times bestselling author known for her young adult romantasy series Lightlark and her enemies-to-lovers romance Summer in the City, is tackling adult romantasy for the first time with her new novel Starside — a book that will leave you blushing on your morning commute.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Because bath bombs release a high concentration of dye into a fairly small amount of water, the pigment has prolonged contact with the tub’s surface.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Their classic red velvet color is natural, too, coming from vegetable juice, annatto, and turmeric, as opposed to artificial dyes.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coloring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coloring. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
