Definition of coloringnext
1
as in pigment
a substance used to color other materials added more coloring to the buttercream frosting to get the perfect shade of blue

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2
as in color
the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face the pale coloring of people of Irish descent

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3

coloring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of color
1
2
3
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

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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 coloring
Noun
The giraffe that had arrived a year earlier was presented to the emperor as a qilin, a mythological creature described as a cross between a deer and a unicorn, with a single horn and tortoiseshell coloring. Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026 Still, the system can occasionally trap the wrong animal, such as box turtles, which have a similar coloring to a tegu. Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
Moreover, the shock of higher prices is still fresh in people's minds and may be coloring consumers' purchasing decisions, despite signs that prices should retreat further. Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 July 2026 Pink to purple blooms open over a long season, coloring the garden from late spring through fall to the delight of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for coloring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coloring
Noun
  • Crafted in Japan, Fluid Flex Foundation Technology is a polymer blend, infused with color-true longwear pigments that resist oxidation, while starfruit extract helps oil and shine control.
    Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • One involved dyeing fingernails with garden balsam, a natural pigment traditionally associated with beauty and blessings.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The same California Craftsman look; almost identical plank siding; a similar tasteful yet cheery color palette.
    Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Coverage of the Arday story was out of proportion to his position in society, reflecting the higher standard to which people of color are held when compared with their white peers, Vernon said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The backlash is usually predictable, every wave of visible mobility aid use brings accusations of exaggeration and attention-seeking, aimed almost entirely at young women.
    Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Distracting from real issues These conspiracy theories are more than exaggerations for a broader audience.
    Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Preservationists, architects and historians warn that painting the 19th century facade would trap moisture, accelerate deterioration and deface one of Washington’s most important historic structures.
    Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than painting an emotionally compelling future, uncharismatic leaders may emphasize plans, facts, processes, trade-offs and incremental improvements.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Thomas cautioned against exaggerating the power of AI agents, however.
    Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Washington has a history of exaggerating the competitive threat from rivals, whether that was the Soviet Union or Japan.
    Andy Browne, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But the current state of geopolitics appears to be distorting what being open means.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • China’s aircraft engineers have warned that artificial intelligence could feed false data into military intelligence, potentially distorting the design and operation of advanced weapons.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Soon, though, the musicians fill in the midrange with blushing chords and a bell-tone melody that pulls gently away from the root note, creating a gentle tension.
    Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
  • That gradually began to change over a few hours of Colquitt’s patient mending, shadowing, blushing, and eyelash-affixing.
    John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
Noun
  • To prevent this leaching, stale urine was used as a mordant—a chemical that binds to the dye and the cloth, acting as a molecular bridge between the two while protecting the color from breaking down from exposure to light, water, and rinsing.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Docs can also use vascular lasers, specifically pulsed dye lasers (PDL) like the Vbeam, to remove these with minimal scarring.
    Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 18 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Coloring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coloring. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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