DYE Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

dye 1 of 2

noun

ˈdī

Definition of dye

as in pigment

a substance used to color other materials soaked the fabric in blue dye

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

dye

2 of 2

verb

as in to paint

to give color or a different color to dyed her hair a startling red

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 dye

Noun

Cream and white bouclé sofas show spills, grime and dye transfer from clothing quickly. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026 The bones were ground up into bone ash, used as fertilizer, and burned to make bone black, used both as a dye and a filter for cane sugar juice. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 20 July 2026

Verb

Story’s groomer didn’t dye his whole body—just the puffy fur around his ankles, ears, and the tip of his tail, which fades from violet to a soft lavender like something out of a watercolor painting. — Angela Haupt, Time, 30 June 2026 Thanks to Arianne Phillips, our costume designer, who dyed my blouse to match the walls perfectly. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dye

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dye

Noun

Blueberries are especially rich in anthocyanins, the pigments that give the fruit its color and help the plant withstand UV radiation and microbial stress.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Ordinary human color vision runs on three types of cone cells in the retina, each carrying a light-sensitive pigment tuned to a different band of wavelengths — roughly short (perceived as blue), medium (green) and long (red).

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of pigment

Verb

Skubal, who missed more than a month after eventually having surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow, mostly disagreed with public reaction painting him as greedy or selfish in not disclosing the strange feeling that had lingered in his arm.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 July 2026
The store carried only a meager inventory of sequins, beads, and painting supplies in addition to the frames.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

Definition of paint

Noun

Directed by Takushi Koide, the series models its art style after anime from the early ’90s, its characters designed with shiny wide eyes, expressive round faces, thick inking, and warm, simple coloring.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Mix a few tablespoons of vegetable oil or olive oil with food coloring, and pour the concoction into a clear glass of water.

— Nicole Harris, Parents, 18 July 2026

Definition of coloring

Verb

But the tournament will also be remembered for a classless and churlish Argentina, which forever stained itself with a thuggish performance in the game and an ungracious one afterward.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Now—before there is another name, another van, another street stained with blood that didn't have to be spilled.

— Kica Matos, Time, 17 July 2026

Definition of stain

Noun

There is at the same time just the one Garmin Cirqa, and four color options for it.

— Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
All fruits and vegetables provide micronutrients and antioxidants, but those that are darker and richer in color have higher concentrations of these anti-inflammatory compounds.

— Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 21 July 2026

Definition of color

Verb

To cover up a patch and to prevent opponents from plucking at the spot, Ryan tinted a face shield for McDaniel, a style that later became popular.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 July 2026
In May 2023, Cancino and his partner pulled over a man for allegedly speeding and having tinted windows, said his attorney, Nicole Castronovo.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of tint

Noun

The dye free version skips the yellow colorant for a shorter ingredient list and a cleaner look.

— Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession—there wasn’t really any other choice—but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of colorant

Browse Nearby Words

dyarchy

dye

dyed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dye.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dye. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dye

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on dye

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inveigle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes