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
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2025
The underdog duo, as well as the other two undefeated tribes of six, all dropped their buffs, randomly drew new colors and entered a new stage of the game.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Drivers were defined by their uniforms — team colors, logos and sponsors.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
It’s made of warm fleece and comes in a variety of colors.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Buyukpepe added that pale colors are also trending, especially for genderless workwear silhouettes.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Oct. 2025
Both come in a variety of colors with different band choices.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
The 21st century’s computer generated gore Around the turn of the millennium, filmmakers turned to CGI to augment their fake blood, adjusting the colors or make their splatter physics a little more convincing.
—Mark Hay, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Its windows will have a polychromatic film, which can reflect different colors based on lighting.
—Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 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
The comedian, actress and writer has a longtime following for her smart, absurdist comedy; her love of crafts and bright colors; and her empathetic and curious writing.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2025
The underdog duo, as well as the other two undefeated tribes of six, all dropped their buffs, randomly drew new colors and entered a new stage of the game.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Drivers were defined by their uniforms — team colors, logos and sponsors.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
It’s made of warm fleece and comes in a variety of colors.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Buyukpepe added that pale colors are also trending, especially for genderless workwear silhouettes.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Oct. 2025
Both come in a variety of colors with different band choices.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
The 21st century’s computer generated gore Around the turn of the millennium, filmmakers turned to CGI to augment their fake blood, adjusting the colors or make their splatter physics a little more convincing.
—Mark Hay, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Its windows will have a polychromatic film, which can reflect different colors based on lighting.
—Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 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
-
The dining area by her kitchen has flags from all around the world hanging on the ceiling and little tables where kids can do activities.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, the party came within a single vote of getting a constitutional amendment prohibiting desecration of the flag through Congress two decades ago.—
Frederic J. Frommer,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
On Tuesday morning, both Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces accused each other of violating the agreement after IDF troops opened fire on Palestinians, killing five.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
14 Oct. 2025
-
National Guard troops and police poured into Black neighborhoods under the banner of restoring order, which was a mask for control.—
Josiah Bates,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The goal of that process, according to the state, would be to work with the community in exploring the nature of their cancer concern, provide education, and, if appropriate, provide epidemiological information.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Dæmons seem to be an outward manifestation of the complex nature of humans that encompasses, male, female and animalistic characteristics that hint towards the breaking of gender binaries and the possibilities of interspecies relations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fine Clothes paints a picture of the racist working conditions of Jim Crow America.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Clooney’s Jay is reflective and regretful about the choices he’s made throughout his career — which have left his adult children feeling abandoned and neglected — but the film seldom paints him as cruel or even all that foolish.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whether or not The Bitch of Buchenwald did what is reenacted on the show isn’t relevant, because her activities are placed in the context of a comic book that exaggerates history to make a point — just like Monster does.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Some critics have said that Costa exaggerates Malafaia’s influence.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
It was detected in a process called gravitational lensing, which involves the way its gravity distorts light passing through or near it.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
-
This pressure also distorts decision-making.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
19 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
-
At a meeting last month, after hearing from residents, city commissioners set aside the flag-raising idea and instead agreed to display a more neutral banner honoring all victims of the war, to light up City Hall and to hold an interfaith vigil.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Award-winning Nigerian actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington (The Wedding Party) will lead the cast as the voice of Malika and serves as Executive Producer, alongside Impact X Studios’ Erica Motley and Okupe via his YouNeek Studios banner.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colors. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share