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
Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 4 Mar. 2026
Repeat until the stains are gone.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
For stubborn stains, gently scrub with a soft brush or sponge before washing.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Sprinkle a little dry soda crystals onto a damp sponge, then scour the stains.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
For non-removable fabric, use an upholstery cleaner or a simple DIY solution of warm water, dish soap and white vinegar to spot-treat stains.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
The piercing doesn't necessarily damage the trees, but their excrement, which is high in sugar, stains the trees and blocks photosynthesis, which eventually suffocates the trees, the researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 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
Blood still regularly stains the floors of the Coliseum’s rings.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
In addition to spot-cleaning any stains or scuff marks on the exteriors of purses, backpacks, or luggage, double-check the interiors.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 4 Mar. 2026
Repeat until the stains are gone.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
For stubborn stains, gently scrub with a soft brush or sponge before washing.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Sprinkle a little dry soda crystals onto a damp sponge, then scour the stains.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
For non-removable fabric, use an upholstery cleaner or a simple DIY solution of warm water, dish soap and white vinegar to spot-treat stains.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
Every failure of the state now stains the turban as well as the uniform.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
The piercing doesn't necessarily damage the trees, but their excrement, which is high in sugar, stains the trees and blocks photosynthesis, which eventually suffocates the trees, the researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 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
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
-
The high-quality products are made using the finest-grade oils and pigments to protect and beautify exterior wood.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Researchers at the institution spent two years investigating the canvas, matching the signature and the pigments on the canvas to those of other works by Rembrandt, and subjecting the work to macro-XRF scans revealing compositional changes.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Like his murals, for Norice the documentary paints an accurate picture of his life as an artist.—
Richard Guzman,
Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Hemani's lawyer, law professor Naz Ahmad of the City University of New York, paints a very different picture of her client.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cleaning dirt and smudges off window glass helps sunlight penetrate into your home and will boost the amount of light that’s available to your houseplants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Dim sunlight smudges skies for only a few hours in the depth of winter.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The organization helps empower students to lobby college administrators for their needs, including expanding mental health services and improving messages to counter the lasting stigmas of seeking help.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Furthermore, and as part of its IWD initiatives, the Alo Foundation is supporting The Mental Health Coalition to reach millions of women with accessible and proven mental health resources alongside educational content to help reduce mental stigmas.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Founded in Brazil by Ailton Pereira, the process converts agro-industrial waste into textile colorants designed to reduce reliance on petrochemical dyes.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Mar. 2026
-
As part of a separate battle with the United States’ notoriously ultraprocessed food system, Kennedy has also declared war on synthetic food dyes and unveiled new dietary guidelines urging Americans to eat more protein and less sugar.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sensing Scarlet’s resolve to destroy him, Claudius poisons her.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The foliage shifts colors with the seasons, emerging bright red in spring then taking on a deep green hue during the summer months before shifting to burgundy in fall and winter.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Musicians live really complicated lives — performing late at night, for instance, colors your day-to-day existence.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stains. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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