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

Police found apparent blood stains in several areas of Machado's car, which investigators said Sierra used to drive the victims from the mall to the home. — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Vinegar Acidic solutions like vinegar are a fan favorite of many eco-friendly cleaners, due to their innate ability to break down and lift stains from hard water, rust, and soap scum. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 28 Sep. 2026

The American Cleaning Institute agrees, noting that newer detergent enzymes perform well in cold water and that some stains, including blood and makeup, are actually better treated cold because heat can set them. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Grease and oily stains dissolve more quickly in warmer water. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026

Pretreat Stains Before washing, pretreat any stains using a stain formula specifically suited for your robe’s fabric. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

The pocket-sized UV flashlight can detect what the naked eye can’t, including dry urine stains, bed bugs, scorpions, and more. — Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026

Were the stains considered evidence that he had been ordered not to touch? — Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 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