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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stain
Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Additionally, these shoes are machine washable, so don’t worry about staining the gorgeous light pink shoes on your next adventure!
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
The chemical elements can leave a bitter, metallic taste and stain laundry and household appliances.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
Plus, because the material won't stain, crack, or peel, there's no need to waterproof or paint any of the items.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Additionally, these shoes are machine washable, so don’t worry about staining the gorgeous light pink shoes on your next adventure!
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Dental: Follow bite adjustments carefully; high-polish finishes resist stains, but coffee/wine habits still matter—ask for a realistic maintenance plan.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
The chemical elements can leave a bitter, metallic taste and stain laundry and household appliances.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
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The lawsuit seeks restitution, punitive damages, and a court order requiring Spotify to disclose whether Discovery Mode is tainted by money or royalty deals.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
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In November 2024, an American citizen was among six tourists who died in Laos, where alcohol tainted with methanol was blamed for poisoning them.—
Jay Ganglani,
NBC news,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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During the week, Barton often painted an image of himself as more sinned against than sinning.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Asthma attacks, severe headaches and lesions on her arms and legs painted a mysterious picture for doctors, some of whom suggested the pain was all in her head.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
9 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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Spray the mixture onto the stain and then blot with a clean microfiber cloth.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
-
After a few minutes, blot the area and wash the item by hand.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Leaves have to make a new pigment to turn red.—
Berly McCoy,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
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Carrots' pigments can help give you a healthy glow and protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.—
Barbie Cervoni,
Verywell Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This dynamic marred the 2012-13 Hurricane Sandy package and has recurred in other disaster bills, not because relief is illegitimate but because speed plus political cover invites provisions that would die in regular order.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
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Sook’s comments followed Nexstar’s report of quarterly results, which were marred by the absence of political advertising compared with the same quarter in 2024.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Her journal entries turn despairing and remorseful, colored by moral outrage.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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Lawrence even has anxiety that the enduring fandom around both franchises may color viewers' expectations of Die My Love, the latest provocation from Scottish auteur Lynne Ramsay.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The footage from drone cameras shows a large area of industrial Louisville charred and blackened from smoke and fire damage.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Skip any skins that look moldy, blackened, or spoiled.—
Cathy Cassata,
Health,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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