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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paints
to give color or a different color to
stained the table to look like cherry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in smudges
to make dirty
oil stained his work pants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stains
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
After the hat has cooled, Rosa—a factory floor veteran of 30 years—will steam it to relax the fur’s fibers, and then inspect it for stains and imperfections.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
Whether intentional or not, the specific hue results in a look that resembles a pre-worn Air Force 1, but without the exaggerated scuffs and stains found on the aforementioned Dirty Triple White look.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
This space by Bunsa Studio features a bold, abstract Svensk-Tenn pattern with a deep brown ground and vibrant pattern that easily hides spills and stains.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
While more muted, this soft beige color might have more opportunity for wear and should show less salt stains.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
From pretreating stains to drying methods and brightening tricks, here’s exactly how to wash white towels the right way.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
After the hat has cooled, Rosa—a factory floor veteran of 30 years—will steam it to relax the fur’s fibers, and then inspect it for stains and imperfections.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
Whether intentional or not, the specific hue results in a look that resembles a pre-worn Air Force 1, but without the exaggerated scuffs and stains found on the aforementioned Dirty Triple White look.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
This space by Bunsa Studio features a bold, abstract Svensk-Tenn pattern with a deep brown ground and vibrant pattern that easily hides spills and stains.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
While more muted, this soft beige color might have more opportunity for wear and should show less salt stains.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
Blood still regularly stains the floors of the Coliseum’s rings.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stains
Noun
-
Weather, specifically cool nights and sunny days, helps produce the red pigments in leaves.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Miracle Balm contains light-reflecting pigments that give the skin a fresh, healthy glow.—
Caitlyn Martyn
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That paints the picture of a top-10 quarterback in the NFL.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
-
An ion implanter paints microscopic transistors to create circuits.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dim sunlight smudges skies for only a few hours in the depth of winter.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
American food giants like Walmart’s Great Value brand, General Mills, Kraft Heinz and more are pledging to remove additives like synthetic dyes, certain preservatives and artificial sweeteners from their foods.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Major food companies including Kraft Heinz, General Mills, WK Kellogg Co, The Campbell’s Company, PepsiCo and Utz have similarly pledged to remove artificial dyes by 2027.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
First, the molds are cleaned and waxed, then the staff will review the work order to understand which colors the customer wants.—
Kristin Shaw,
Popular Science,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The survivors were scattered around the world, and even over a century later, the tragedy still colors their view of their ancestral region.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Another asked how to combat stigmas against religions that come from indigenous cultures, such as Yorùbá or Vodou.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The dinners aim to break down racial and neighborhood stigmas in Louisville.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Deadly holiday weekend mars broad crime drop The back-and-forth followed a Labor Day weekend of deadly violence in Chicago worse than in the previous two years, with seven people shot to death, according to preliminary Chicago Police Department reports.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
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Valuing a project at cost of production rather than value in an arm’s length sale—common in all economic statistics—especially mars Chinese data.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Anyone who tints or colors their hair knows all about this.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stains. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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