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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stain
Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
In the basilica that houses Francis’s ugly, hulking stone tomb, his cassock is on display along with bandages stained with his blood.
—Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Mariah Blake, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
In the business world, the white-collar big shots leave the conference room with wine stains on the carpet.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
Pérez's manager, Enrique Paulino, spoke to reporters at the scene, his shirt stained with blood.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
In the basilica that houses Francis’s ugly, hulking stone tomb, his cassock is on display along with bandages stained with his blood.
—Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
These substances, known to scientists as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, gave ordinary goods uncanny resistance to grease, stains, water, and heat.
—Mariah Blake, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
In the business world, the white-collar big shots leave the conference room with wine stains on the carpet.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
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The decision paves the way for Rose and Jackson — two of baseball’s greatest players whose legacies were tainted by gambling — to gain admittance to the Hall of Fame.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
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The defense, however, could again argue that the jury was tainted to the point that an instruction won’t fix the problem.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Sleek, flat-panel cabinets (painted in Dylan by Portola Paints) contrast with the irregular zellige tile backsplash by Zia Tile.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 May 2025
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But that wouldn’t happen even if Chardin, who lived 1699 to 1779 in Paris, painted the objects in the middle of an earthquake.—
James Russell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Crème Brûlée Steve Granitz Crème brûlée is like butter blonde, but dirtied up a bit for a browned, warm tint.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
-
He’s come through with timely hits, dirtied his uniform on the bases and made an impact with his arm in the outfield.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That brings us to that one blot on Wodehouse’s life.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The ink blots of the past 20 years are dried all over Metal Gear Solid Delta.—
Ashley Bardhan,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Using non-sterile water to dilute the pigments (ingredients that add color) is a common culprit, although not the only one.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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How to create the illusion of dilation by carefully layering light and dark pigment.—
Gregory Barber Sasha Arutyunova,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
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The Mavericks had a season marred by injuries and executed a trade that not only shocked the NBA but also enraged fans.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
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Finding an innovative, sustainable path to parity—without triggering the kind of prolonged labor disputes that have marred the sport’s past—will do far more for the game than any piece of equipment ever could.—
John Cairney,
Sportico.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Moreover, the experience colored his perspective on those impoverished souls who traverse borders in search of a better life.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
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Butterfly pea flower extract, which is already used to color most of the above, had its use expanded to color ready-to-eat cereals, crackers, snack mixes, hard pretzels, plain potato chips, plain corn chips, tortilla chips and multigrain chips.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
9 May 2025
Verb
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If a vigorous plant begins to blacken at the top or whole branches are dying back, this is a sign that something is wrong.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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Ice, for serving Lime wedges, optional garnish Mint sprigs, optional garnish Roast the pepper until the skin is uniformly blackened.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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