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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stain
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Leaves near decks, patios, walkways, or gutters should be removed to prevent staining and blockages.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Its unique formula can remove stains, dissolve adhesives, and cut through soap scum and grease.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
The researchers hope to develop a version that's safe, pleasant-tasting and suitable for large-scale production, without the drawbacks of current treatments like tooth staining, tartar buildup and taste changes in the mouth.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Leaves near decks, patios, walkways, or gutters should be removed to prevent staining and blockages.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
After waltzing across the ballroom floor, Danielle exposed blood stains across her dress and on her hands halfway through.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Its unique formula can remove stains, dissolve adhesives, and cut through soap scum and grease.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
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Bonds and Clemens would be shoo-ins for the Hall had their careers in MLB not been tainted by the accusations.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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In the letter, Radcliffe spoke out against Rowling’s comments and apologized to any Harry Potter fans who have since felt the novel and magical universe has been tainted by the author’s transphobic statements.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Earle-Sears and other Republican candidates have tried to tie the text messages to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, painting Democrats as politically violent.—
Jahd Khalil,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
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One photo showed a Waymo vehicle with broken windows and painted with graffiti on Sunset Boulevard.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The ashes from the crematorium chimney covered the streets, sooted the rain, dirtied the snow, damaged the crops, infected every body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
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At Dilara Findikoglu, models looked like ladies in waiting that had risen from the dead; wearing antiquated corsetry that was dirtied and torn.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After a few minutes, blot the area and wash the item by hand.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
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Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide and use a white cloth to apply it to the stain and blot gently.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Unlike a standard solid-black cat whose pigment runs from root to tip, a smoke black cat’s hairs have a silvery or lighter base with a darker tip.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The vegetable's lutein and zeaxanthin pigments protect the retina and eye lens.—
Isabel Vasquez RD LDN,
Health,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even now, plans are underway to determine how best to retire and deorbit the aging laboratory – which has been marred by air leaks and other issues – likely around 2030.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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International rights groups have criticized the electoral process which has been marred by low voter turnout, a night curfew and internet shutdown as protesters have taken to the streets of major cities for the third day since election day.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And in late March and early April, when the winds still bite, the first piping plovers, tiny and sand-colored, return to the Rockaways.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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While the standoff shows no immediate sign of easing, investors and policy decision-makers are flying blind without federal data to help color their perceptions about the health of the economy.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Skip any skins that look moldy, blackened, or spoiled.—
Cathy Cassata,
Health,
24 Oct. 2025
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Whether this backlash will slow the data center boom, blacken the reputation of AI companies and their products with users, or hasten the roll-out of AI regulation globally remains to be seen.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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