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
Relevance
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
Lily Wohlner, Allure, 30 July 2025
This rust can stain your shower or sink and add a distinctly metallic taste to your water.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Aug. 2025
From the back of the stain, apply cold water to dilute.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
Just take your time thoroughly rinsing off the cleanser, as the acid can stain dark towels.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 30 July 2025
This rust can stain your shower or sink and add a distinctly metallic taste to your water.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
Noun
Use Steam Mode to deep clean, and Boost mode for stubborn spots and stains.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Aug. 2025
From the back of the stain, apply cold water to dilute.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
-
Since Do’s bribery scandal emerged, the county ordered a forensic audit of contracts he was involved with to see if more might be tainted.—
Michael Slaten,
Oc Register,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Moreover, any political revisions of employment numbers long accepted as accurate by key users will taint confidence in other data series.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The artifacts paint a picture of how, after the eruption, people sought refuge in the upper floors of buildings visible above the ash, Zuchtriegel said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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Since announcing the federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department, Trump has sought to paint a picture of a lawless city that he’s set to clean up.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Aug. 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
-
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
-
For deep cleaning, use hydrogen peroxide for tough spots and clean the sweatband gently with a soft brush, then blot and air dry in a cool, dark place.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 June 2025
-
Spray, blot and rinse to watch stains wash away in no time.—
BestReviews,
The Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Since the 1970s, the versatile color—which blends blue, red, and yellow pigments—has been hailed as the little black dress of lipstick colors.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
14 Aug. 2025
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When melanin is absent, the underlying yellow or orange pigments become far more visible, giving the animal a vivid, almost glowing appearance.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Both votes were marred by what prosecutors said was a massive vote-buying scheme orchestrated by Shor, who has spent much of his time in Russia since he was convicted for his role in the 2014 theft of $1 billion from Moldovan banks.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Those series of plays were marred by two false starts...—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The pimentos finish off the flavor profile, while lightly coloring the spread.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
17 Aug. 2025
-
This ballerina-slipper colored wine from the northeast is an easy-going, apricot and raspberry-inflected wine made from Rondinella, a native regional grape of Valpolicella.—
Lana Bortolot,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
McFarland had been at the nursing home since March of 2022, when he was admitted as a hospice patient with a severe case of frostbite that left his feet blackened.—
Sarah Volpenhein,
jsonline.com,
25 July 2025
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Especially when his head gave a sickening whirl, blackening for a second, and his limbs seized again.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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