dye 1 of 2

noun

ˈdī How to pronounce dye (audio)
Definition of dyenext
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
Beyond the dyes, the FDA began a systematic review of food chemicals. — Avik Roy, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Inspired by the discussion, Gaines, who was living on a farm in New Hampshire at the time, devised a survival game using sheep-marking dye pellets, hosting the first iteration in woods on his land in June 1981. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 July 2026
Verb
He was found in La Jolla, California, with his dark hair dyed blonde and his car filled with $15,000 in cash, four cell phones, two driver's licenses (one being his brother's), several changes of clothes, and survival/camping gear. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 17 July 2026 After viewers observed how Ormund dyed the hair of a merchant boy blonde to pass him off as Prince Daeron Targaryen, the reactions swiftly commenced online. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dye
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dye
  1. pigment
  2. paint
  3. coloring
  4. stain
  5. color
  6. tint
  7. colorant
Noun
  • This is because researchers had long assumed that the black pigments used by the paintings’ makers were purely mineral, making radiocarbon dating—a method that measures the amount of carbon-14 in organic materials—impossible.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026
  • That allows the pigment to transfer subtly into the lashes for a softer, more natural-looking finish.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
Definition of pigment
Verb
  • Another time it was painted green with ears to resemble Shrek's head.
    — Mandalit del Barco, NPR, 31 July 2026
  • It was draped over bars, painted onto subway walls and tattooed onto calves and forearms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of paint
Noun
  • Louise Watley Library will host a break from the heat in the form of a relaxing coloring program geared toward all ages several times throughout the month.
    — Elizabeth Green, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
  • Their distinct coloring is both a warning for predators and a badge of initiation.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of coloring
Verb
  • The bronze is reportedly stained lipstick-pink from fans kissing it.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Ceiling tiles were stained and chipped throughout the main cook line in the restaurant located inside the kid-friendly entertainment center.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 27 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

“Dye.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dye. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on dye

Nglish: Translation of dye for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dye

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

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

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All