1
as in flag
a piece of cloth with a special design that is used as an emblem or for signaling
flew their country's colors atop the highest mast on the ship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in troops
the combined army, air force, and navy of a nation
she hopes to carry on the family tradition and serve with the colors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nature
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others
we saw his true colors during the emergency
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in paints
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 exaggerates
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 distorts
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 blushes
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 colors
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
Way to Celebrate Stacked Yarn Pumpkins Tabletop Decor Designed with soft, ribbed yarn and quintessential seasonal colors, this darling tabletop decor exudes everything warm and cozy.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Warmer nights can delay the changing colors of leaves or turn down their vibrance, scientists say.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
In 2014, Paul McGinley decked out the players’ team room in European colors, right down to the baize on the pool table and the blue-and-gold fish in the aquarium.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
In 20 colors, there will be any number of hues that fit the bride’s requirements, while satisfying your own taste too.
—Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
The colors that are on sale include a milky chocolate brown and a soft green with adorable daisy details — both of which stand out in a sea of black suitcases at baggage claim.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Even more, each pair can be thoroughly customized allowing players to choose colors, materials, and patterns for nearly every part of the shoe.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
The collection was heavy on bubble skirts and dresses, offering a sleek take on mid-season coats and leaning into light colors and tailored short-sleeves.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
The survivors were scattered around the world, and even over a century later, the tragedy still colors their view of their ancestral region.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
This process colors the planet’s sky permanently pink.
—Joel S. Levine, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
And a new report from the same source suggests what colors the cases for the iPhone 17 Pro will include.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
This pint-sized loropetalum produces stunning purple foliage that colors the garden all year long.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
Betty, a quirky Mexican American with adult braces and cute red prescription glasses, often incorporated her culture into her ensembles using bright colors and patterns, like her famous poncho with the city of Guadalajara emblazoned across the front.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
Way to Celebrate Stacked Yarn Pumpkins Tabletop Decor Designed with soft, ribbed yarn and quintessential seasonal colors, this darling tabletop decor exudes everything warm and cozy.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Warmer nights can delay the changing colors of leaves or turn down their vibrance, scientists say.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
In 2014, Paul McGinley decked out the players’ team room in European colors, right down to the baize on the pool table and the blue-and-gold fish in the aquarium.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
In 20 colors, there will be any number of hues that fit the bride’s requirements, while satisfying your own taste too.
—Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
The colors that are on sale include a milky chocolate brown and a soft green with adorable daisy details — both of which stand out in a sea of black suitcases at baggage claim.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Even more, each pair can be thoroughly customized allowing players to choose colors, materials, and patterns for nearly every part of the shoe.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
The collection was heavy on bubble skirts and dresses, offering a sleek take on mid-season coats and leaning into light colors and tailored short-sleeves.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
First, the molds are cleaned and waxed, then the staff will review the work order to understand which colors the customer wants.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
The survivors were scattered around the world, and even over a century later, the tragedy still colors their view of their ancestral region.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
This process colors the planet’s sky permanently pink.
—Joel S. Levine, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
And a new report from the same source suggests what colors the cases for the iPhone 17 Pro will include.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
This pint-sized loropetalum produces stunning purple foliage that colors the garden all year long.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colors
Noun
-
Protesters waving Iranian flags and holding placards declared that Pezeshkian did not represent the Iranian people.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag on stage at a November 2024 Kneecap concert in London.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to a contingency plan posted by the Pentagon this weekend, all active-duty troops would be required to keep working.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Kenyan mission’s failure to stop gangs The future role of Kenya in the new force remains unclear, and the resolution doesn’t say who has committed to deploying military and police troops, or how much the new GSF will cost.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Before, players could at least guess at the nature of a game, as each suit represented a different kind of competition.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Colorado's commitment to accessibility From jeep tours in Cañon City that offer American Sign Language to the Colorado Trail Explorer mobile app detailing accessible trails, Colorado offers a multitude of ways for travelers with disabilities to explore the stunning nature for which it's known.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That paints the picture of a top-10 quarterback in the NFL.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
-
An ion implanter paints microscopic transistors to create circuits.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some critics have said that Costa exaggerates Malafaia’s influence.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The fact that the company exaggerates the job numbers, as well as the true number of states where the plane produces a significant number of jobs does not alter the fact that economic arguments carry a lot of weight in Congressional decisions on weapons procurement.—
William Hartung,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This pressure also distorts decision-making.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Stress or overconfidence distorts risk perception and influences decisions far more than spreadsheets.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Long blushes through the compliment and returns it, praising Bosworth right back.—
William Earl,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
-
While at dusk, the horizon blushes with coral light as fishing boats drift past the silhouette of Longtou Rock.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Spooky Pictures, the horror-centric banner led by Steven Schneider and Roy Lee, has entered into a multi-year, multi-picture partnership with Fandomodo Films, the boutique film and television development, production and financing company.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Lowden originated the role of Luka at the 2024 Edinburgh International Festival under the National Theatre of Scotland banner.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colors. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share