as in blackened
not clean
always seen wearing stained clothes, which he apparently hoped would mark him as an antibourgeois bohemian
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tainted
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in painted
to give color or a different color to
stained the table to look like cherry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dirtied
to make dirty
oil stained his work pants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stained
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
The frame structures already standing would hold stained glass in the finished church for a congregation that formed in the 1890s.
—Arkansas Online, 2 June 2026
Sprinkle borax into the toilet bowl, focusing on stained areas.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
The Or Foundation estimates that roughly 15 million castoff garments from Canada, China, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union enter the market weekly, and about 40 percent leave as waste because they are torn, stained or otherwise too damaged to resell.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
The light, filtered through stained glass, shifts the mood from one side of the basilica to the other.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The gown was embellished with crystals and stones that created the illusion of stained glass.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 May 2026
Their wings deserve a close inspection, as the translucent curved fixtures are inspired by stained glass windows.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
The family has traced their roots in stained glass back to Liverpool and London.
—Kevin Strong, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Sarah Dean, NBC news, 12 June 2026
Every blue jersey will be stained with blood by the end of the match.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Worn Washcloths or Towels Go through all your linens in the bathroom, and discard any that are old, stained, tattered, or smell weird.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Fighting these fires is physically demanding, and soot- and sweat-stained jackets and pants have long been symbols of the hard work.
—Sumit Mandal, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
Paint can be stripped or sanded down and stained so the natural wood of these pieces can really shine.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
Your deck will need to be stained again about once every two to three years, depending on sun exposure, foot traffic, and the specific stain used to finish the deck.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 2 June 2026
Old and stained clothing can also be given to painting studios and child care centers to use as smocks.
—Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Not every paramilitary fighter is stained by the corruption of the Shia elite or implicated in spilling innocent blood in recent years.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
Adjective
Apply to the stained area and work it into the fabric.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
The frame structures already standing would hold stained glass in the finished church for a congregation that formed in the 1890s.
—Arkansas Online, 2 June 2026
Sprinkle borax into the toilet bowl, focusing on stained areas.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
The Or Foundation estimates that roughly 15 million castoff garments from Canada, China, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union enter the market weekly, and about 40 percent leave as waste because they are torn, stained or otherwise too damaged to resell.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
The light, filtered through stained glass, shifts the mood from one side of the basilica to the other.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The gown was embellished with crystals and stones that created the illusion of stained glass.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 May 2026
Their wings deserve a close inspection, as the translucent curved fixtures are inspired by stained glass windows.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
The family has traced their roots in stained glass back to Liverpool and London.
—Kevin Strong, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Verb
In another video published by B’Tselem capturing the moments after the incident, Sam’s father can be seen standing by the car, cradling his baby, whose bright yellow clothing can be seen stained with blood.
—Sarah Dean, NBC news, 12 June 2026
Every blue jersey will be stained with blood by the end of the match.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Worn Washcloths or Towels Go through all your linens in the bathroom, and discard any that are old, stained, tattered, or smell weird.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Fighting these fires is physically demanding, and soot- and sweat-stained jackets and pants have long been symbols of the hard work.
—Sumit Mandal, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
Paint can be stripped or sanded down and stained so the natural wood of these pieces can really shine.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
Your deck will need to be stained again about once every two to three years, depending on sun exposure, foot traffic, and the specific stain used to finish the deck.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 2 June 2026
Old and stained clothing can also be given to painting studios and child care centers to use as smocks.
—Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Not every paramilitary fighter is stained by the corruption of the Shia elite or implicated in spilling innocent blood in recent years.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stained
Adjective
-
The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
-
In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Dec. 2022
Verb
-
Some kits are less easy to adore, whether bad (always subjective), good but spoiled by a dubious sponsor, a combination of both or tainted by association.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
The left no longer believes that immigrants of diverse backgrounds should assimilate themselves into a national culture tainted by white supremacy, while the right views immigrants’ very presence in the country as a threat to that same national culture.—
Yoni Appelbaum,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The Reflecting Pool basin was previously painted achromatic and gray.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
The landscape rises into steep hills and Victorian and Edwardian architecture, painted in pastel colors and flowing with misty fog.—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
When stormwater dirtied by road runoff, failing septic tanks and fertilizer sullied crystal-clear rivers and lakes, and nobody cared.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
For example, the prescription offered by those who saw a generally healthy way of life as the right way to prevent disease helped propel cleaning up the filthy cities of the Industrial Revolution—and that really did reduce the impact of common fevers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
On the other hand, the cloth seats in many buses are filthy.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street announced Tuesday that the 2026 Downtown Days festival will be its last, citing safety concerns after fights, assaults and property damage marred Saturday evening’s event.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
The March 22 election was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Lee, 72, has maintained his trademark look of shoulder-length brown hair and tinted glasses and bounced between nimble bass playing and a bank of synthesizers.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Android and Windows devices will now also be able to join iCloud photo albums, and liquid glass displays will be able to shift from clear to fully tinted based on users' preferences, Apple said.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The story of Reconstruction had been, of course, soiled badly by the historians’ profession, to be honest.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
Another topper, this one in a vibrant jungle print, was completely soiled.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stained. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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