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

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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
That's because the compounds that are found in red wine (the one's that are full of acidity and produce a dye-like substance) don't have as much time to set in. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 13 July 2026 And to cultivate a connection to place, manufacturers can use fibers and dyes that reflect local textures and histories, essentially reframing clothing as a map of the land, honoring its distinctive ancestral roots. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 July 2026
Verb
The photos showed Sanchez-Munoz with his hair dyed a light color. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026 In the mid 2010s, the reality TV star dyed her hair in colorful hues and took bold chances with her makeup. — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 21 June 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
  • The bronzer offers semi-sheer pigment in just two surprisingly stretchy shades.
    — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • White cats get their color from a lack of pigment in their fur.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of pigment
Verb
  • It's painted blue and white, and has a small deck area at the front that folds up for easy transport.
    — Adam Williams July 10, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
  • In a campaign statement, Holscher said she’s being painted as an extremist for standing up for everyday people.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of paint
Noun
  • Gorgeous coloring, the profile, everything about her was just drop dead gorgeous.
    — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
  • This recipe skips the traditional green food coloring in favor of chives for noticeably colorful freshness.
    — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of coloring
Verb
  • The only part of her person not stained are the white circles around her eyes.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
  • Drinking water after coffee can help reduce acidity and wash away staining compounds.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • Choose from a mix of Sterling Forever's classics, including tennis bracelets and necklaces, pendant styles, studs, hoops and more accented with beautiful stone colors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • Shadows will soften, colors will become muted, and daylight will take on an unusual quality that many first-time eclipse watchers find surprising.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of color
Verb
  • If the plain look doesn’t appeal to you, the front plate of the glasses pops off, tinted lenses and all, and can be replaced by a variety of accessory plates that radically change the aesthetic.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 10 July 2026
  • The technique reshapes brow hairs rather than tinting or filling them, and the results last weeks rather than hours.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 June 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
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Cite this Entry

“Dye.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dye. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dye

Nglish: Translation of dye for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dye

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