Synonyms of stains

stains 1 of 2

noun

plural of stain

1

as in blots

a mark of guilt or disgrace

the stain of this cowardly act would haunt him for the rest of his career

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blots
• taints
• stigmas
• smudges
• guilts
• shames
• brands
• slurs
• spots
• disgraces
• smirches
• sins
• onuses
• corruptions
• infamies
• ignominies
• discredit
• black eyes
• depravities
• reproaches
• iniquities
• immoralities
• vices
• debaucheries
• obloquies
• dishonors
• odiums
• disreputes
• opprobriums
• disesteems

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• awards
• honors
• purities
• credits
• goods
• rights
• chastities
• glories
• modesties
• fames
• reputes
• integrities
• renowns
• probities
• rectitudes
• honesties
• legitimacies

2

as in pigments

a substance used to color other materials

applied several coats of stain to the wood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pigments
• dyes
• colors
• colorants
• colorings
• dyestuffs
• hues
• tints
• shades
• toners
• tinges
• casts

stains

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stain

1

as in taints

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable

her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• taints
• poisons
• mars
• spoils
• darkens
• touches
• smears
• tarnishes
• blemishes
• smudges
• vitiates
• discolors
• soils
• blackens
• degrades
• lowers
• discredits
• distorts
• blurs
• dirties
• corrupts
• clouds
• tars
• pollutes
• disgraces
• colors
• sullies
• perverts
• shames
• sinks
• dishonors
• smuts
• besmirches
• abases
• besmears
• debauches
• twists
• fouls
• smirches
• demeans
• debases
• subverts
• begrimes
• cheapens
• demoralizes
• depraves
• bastardizes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleanses
• purifies
• elevates
• magnifies
• uplifts
• ennobles
• glorifies
• enshrines
• dignifies
• hallows

2

as in paints

to give color or a different color to

stained the table to look like cherry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paints
• colors
• tints
• dyes
• pigments
• brightens
• tinges
• tinctures
• stripes
• darkens
• bepaints
• streaks
• flecks
• lightens
• specks
• patterns
• speckles
• tones (down)
• mottles
• dapples
• marbles
• striates
• variegates
• daubs
• embrowns
• checkers
• polychromes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bleaches
• whitens
• decolorizes
• blanches

3

as in smudges

to make dirty

oil stained his work pants

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smudges
• blackens
• dirties
• messes
• soils
• besmirches
• daubs
• sullies
• mucks
• distains
• smirches
• mires
• muddies
• grimes
• contaminates
• befouls
• gaums
• fouls
• discolors
• begrimes
• taints
• bemires
• pollutes
• disorders
• defiles
• disarranges
• draggles
• jumbles
• muddles
• crocks
• confuses
• dishevels
• disarrays
• collies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleans
• cleanses
• wipes
• purifies
• purges
• washes
• brushes
• dusts
• rinses
• disinfects
• sweeps
• mops
• decontaminates
• scrubs
• sanitizes
• scours
• launders
• brightens
• deodorizes
• freshens
• renews
• straightens (up)
• spruces (up)
• dry-cleans
• tidies (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stains

Noun

The latter track takes overt inspiration from Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film Marie Antoinette, as Jepsen beckons her love to engage in life’s vices with her, like marring bedsheets with fruit stains and dashing nude through the garden. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Homeowners can check that attic and soffit vents are clear and look for signs of moisture, water stains, mold, or visible frost during winter. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 14 Sep. 2026

Choose Fade-Resistant Flooring When choosing flooring, keep in mind that darker stains fade less quickly than light ones. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026

His past misdemeanours will be stains that will never be completely erased, but boxing is a forgiving sport. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The program excludes cosmetic issues such as stains, fading, pilling, light abrasion and deterioration of the durable water-repellent finish. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

The letter cited stains on production walls, floors, and manufacturing equipment, corrosion on a product line, and an employee who wore open-toed sandals. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 9 Sep. 2026

The stoneware resists chips, scratches, and stains, and everything is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

Advocates argue carts are silent, occupy less space than tourist vans and buses, and don’t choke the air with exhaust that also stains historic monuments. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

The man lies a few yards behind them, but the image stains her field of vision. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026

The self-tan wipes are easy to apply and contain exfoliating acids that smooth the skin, plus encapsulated DHA (the ingredient that stains the skin) to leave behind a radiant tan. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2026

Homemade plum compote stains the filling with a vibrant red ribbon. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026

When that protective finish gets damaged, the toilet actually stains easier and is harder to keep clean over time. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 24 May 2026

What Sacks doesn’t get is that by financing and diplomatically supporting Israel, our country makes the crimes of the Israeli government possible, which stains America’s reputation in the world and drains our Treasury. — Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

Every failure of the state now stains the turban as well as the uniform. — Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026

Season with salt and lots of pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, until the turmeric stains the mixture a wonderful golden color and the liquid starts to steam, about 3 minutes. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025