1
as in marring
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 painting
to give color or a different color to
stained the table to look like cherry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in blackening
to make dirty
oil stained his work pants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in discoloration
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of staining
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Critically, the ancient teeth from betel nut chewers are distinguishable because of red staining.
—Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 19 Aug. 2025
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 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
Drone footage shows eight officers approach a motionless Green who appeared slumped over with a large pool of blood staining the driveway.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Each clothing sample was subjected to various forms of physical and environmental degradation such as washing, aging and staining to determine how easily compounds could leach from fabrics onto the skin of the wearer.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
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
Police added that no evidence of postmortem fractures were found on the remains, adding that forensic investigators found soil adherence and staining that suggest the remains may have been in the ground for over five decades.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
To prevent staining your hands, wash them immediately after applying self-tanner, and treat them like you would the rest of your body with an exfoliating mitt if any color lingers.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
This will avoid causing damage to the sealant and potential staining.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Critically, the ancient teeth from betel nut chewers are distinguishable because of red staining.
—Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
Remove any heavy objects from the sides of your tub, as these items can cause chips or cracking that can contribute to staining.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 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
Drone footage shows eight officers approach a motionless Green who appeared slumped over with a large pool of blood staining the driveway.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Each clothing sample was subjected to various forms of physical and environmental degradation such as washing, aging and staining to determine how easily compounds could leach from fabrics onto the skin of the wearer.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
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
Police added that no evidence of postmortem fractures were found on the remains, adding that forensic investigators found soil adherence and staining that suggest the remains may have been in the ground for over five decades.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
To prevent staining your hands, wash them immediately after applying self-tanner, and treat them like you would the rest of your body with an exfoliating mitt if any color lingers.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staining
Verb
-
Including playoffs, Mayfield turned the ball over more than anyone else from 2023 through 2024, marring an otherwise fantastic two seasons in Tampa Bay.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Construction crews are currently painting, installing fixtures, cabinetry and the ceiling grid, and will soon lay the carpeting.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In one photo, Dreyer could be seen painting an olive green room's walls white with the help of her 3-year-old son, Russell.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
High-Heat-Safe Alternatives While enameled cast-iron cookware is excellent to use for braising, roasting, baking, or gentle stovetop cooking, certain high heat applications like searing steak or blackening fish are best done in other types of pans, like traditional cast iron or stainless steel.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Each footstep sent up clouds of dust and ash, coating everything, including my mouth and teeth, in fine grit, blackening my snot and saliva.—
River Selby
August 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Then, spray a small amount of WD-40 directly onto the discoloration.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Skin discoloration happens to the best of us, even those who religiously apply and reapply sunscreen every day or refuse to pick at pimples for fear of scarring.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Farther up, on Observatory Hill, tall cryptomeria trees were silhouetted in the darkening evening, and down in the valleys, lights winked on like reflections of the planets and stars appearing in the sky.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Areas that have yet to see much fall coloring, or have patches of it this season, are most of Texas, as well as Louisiana and Florida.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The work—in a way, a series of encounters with random elements of one-click consumerism, including coloring books and marketing guides for dentists—is tedious, repetitive, and demoralizing.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Without spoiling anything, Liberation’s ending doesn't quite stick the landing either.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
For the party’s new leadership, running Libertarian candidates and providing an outlet for their voters’ political perspective isn’t spoiling.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At the time, Jenner became known for her edgy, experimental looks, especially after dyeing her hair blue.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
-
What’s the most common error men make when dyeing their hair or beards?—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Staining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staining. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share