Synonyms of stain

stain 1 of 2

verb

ˈstān 

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

• taint
• mar
• poison
• spoil
• darken
• touch
• tarnish
• blemish
• smear
• soil
• degrade
• smudge
• blacken
• dirty
• vitiate
• discredit
• discolor
• distort
• corrupt
• tar
• blur
• disgrace
• pollute
• besmirch
• shame
• sully
• cloud
• dishonor
• smirch
• besmear
• smut
• color
• sink
• pervert
• abase
• lower
• debase
• demean
• foul
• subvert
• deprave
• cheapen
• debauch
• twist
• demoralize
• begrime
• bastardize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleanse
• purify
• elevate
• glorify
• magnify
• uplift
• dignify
• ennoble
• enshrine
• hallow

2

as in to paint

to give color or a different color to

stained the table to look like cherry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paint
• color
• dye
• tint
• pigment
• brighten
• tincture
• tinge
• darken
• stripe
• bepaint
• lighten
• fleck
• marble
• tone (down)
• streak
• pattern
• speck
• speckle
• mottle
• striate
• polychrome
• daub
• checker
• dapple
• variegate
• embrown

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bleach
• decolorize
• whiten
• blanch

3

as in to dirty

to make dirty

oil stained his work pants

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dirty
• blacken
• smudge
• soil
• mess
• muck
• smirch
• besmirch
• grime
• muddy
• sully
• daub
• mire
• befoul
• distain
• taint
• foul
• contaminate
• discolor
• gaum
• bemire
• pollute
• begrime
• defile
• disarray
• disorder
• disarrange
• muddle
• dishevel
• jumble
• crock
• draggle
• confuse
• colly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• cleanse
• purify
• wipe
• purge
• wash
• decontaminate
• brush
• disinfect
• sweep
• scrub
• dust
• rinse
• mop
• sanitize
• renew
• launder
• scour
• brighten
• freshen
• spruce (up)
• straighten (up)
• dry-clean
• deodorize
• tidy (up)

stain

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blot
• taint
• stigma
• smudge
• guilt
• shame
• disgrace
• brand
• slur
• smirch
• spot
• sin
• onus
• ignominy
• infamy
• odium
• dishonor
• discredit
• reproach
• corruption
• disrepute
• obloquy
• black eye
• opprobrium
• immorality
• iniquity
• vice
• licentiousness
• depravity
• disesteem
• debauchery
• unscrupulousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• credit
• purity
• award
• honor
• right
• modesty
• chastity
• good
• integrity
• legitimacy
• stainlessness
• rectitude
• honesty
• goodness
• chasteness
• righteousness
• uprightness
• probity
• glory
• fame
• repute
• scrupulousness
• renown
• virtuousness

2

as in pigment

a substance used to color other materials

applied several coats of stain to the wood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pigment
• dye
• coloring
• color
• colorant
• hue
• dyestuff
• tint
• tinge
• toner
• shade
• cast

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stain

Verb

More rubbing produces mahogany, tan and brown hues, caused by staining from contact with vegetation. — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026

Rust Rings While food and liquids don’t typically stain the non-porous surface of a fireclay sink, pots and pans are more likely culprits. — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

His past misdemeanours will be stains that will never be completely erased, but boxing is a forgiving sport. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The program excludes cosmetic issues such as stains, fading, pilling, light abrasion and deterioration of the durable water-repellent finish. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026