1
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to paint
to give color or a different color to
stained the table to look like cherry
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dirty
to make dirty
oil stained his work pants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blot
a mark of guilt or disgrace
the stain of this cowardly act would haunt him for the rest of his career
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stain
Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
The district attorney’s office was headed by Harry Connick Sr., whose 30-year tenure was stained by accusations of racial bias.
—Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2025
Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
First, start by blotting the stain using a paper or cloth napkin, or towel.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
One man had scratch marks on his face and neck, his legs and feet stained with blood.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
The district attorney’s office was headed by Harry Connick Sr., whose 30-year tenure was stained by accusations of racial bias.
—Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.
—Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
First, start by blotting the stain using a paper or cloth napkin, or towel.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
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Buggs’ public defender also suggested that Alameda County prosecutors’ case was tainted by that bias.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
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That Anniston’s offer is tainted is a given; that Charles is making a deal with a very bad man is obvious.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Always willing to suffer for the cause, Silverman was sentenced to eight days in the clink for refusing to pay a small fine levied after he was caught illegally painting a cycle lane on a residential street.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Instead of listening, her mother-in-law dismissed every point and painted herself as a victim.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As more success suddenly comes his way, McKinstry has remained the same, friendly and chuckling at his locker, dirtying his jersey and pestering opponents on the field.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Some were prosthetic buttocks, but others were people’s own buttocks, but in various states, like dirtied down and with partial covering.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Red Wine or Dark-Colored Food Stains As quickly as possible, lift away any solids and blot, blot, blot away the moisture.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
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Wipe the area with a cloth dampened with cold water, then blot with a fresh sponge.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Skeptics claimed that the researcher did not factor in findings from the 1978 Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) that could disprove the theory of the cloth being artwork, such as a lack of pigment and the details of the blood stains, which are detectable with UV technology.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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Zeaxanthin is a type of xanthophyll – a yellow carotenoid pigment found broadly in nature – already available as a supplement for eye health, and found in dark leafy greens like kale, as well as orange peppers, mango and corn.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Boy Meets World — Savage’s comedy legacy has been marred by multiple misconduct allegations over the years.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Holes marred the walls in the kitchen under the dish machine, dry storage and dish storage rooms.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shades of Paula Abdul colored the song as Doja sashayed across the stage with her feathery vocals.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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Her attraction to coloring books presaged her minimal style.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Currently, according to Applebee's website, menu items include bourbon street chicken and shrimp, hot honey glazed chicken and blackened Cajun salmon.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Video of the aftermath showed only debris from the collision and the ground blackened as though from a large explosion or fire.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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