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
• dirties
• blackens
• messes
• soils
• besmirches
• daubs
• sullies
• mucks
• distains
• smirches
• muddies
• mires
• grimes
• contaminates
• befouls
• gaums
• fouls
• discolors
• begrimes
• taints
• pollutes
• bemires
• 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

There are few actual notes to his melodies, just smudges and stains. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

But none of those items had blood stains, which would have suggested a stabbing. — Yana Johnson, NBC news, 29 July 2026

To prevent any lasting stains, Morrison recommends wiping up the liquids as quickly and safely as possible. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026

These should be able to spot most stains in a reasonably dark room. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 July 2026

Another criminalist testified earlier in the multi-day probable cause hearing that several Clorox-type wipes covered in brown stains were found in an inner trash bag placed inside the outer bag. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026

Removing Stains From Linoleum Floors Linoleum floors can get stains and discoloration from heavy foot traffic, food spills, pets, or heavy furniture that’s been sitting on them for some time. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

The slipcover is machine washable, although McGregor notes that while she’s never attempted to wash it in a standard-size machine, stains are easily taken care of with a baking soda solution or spot treatment. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026

This routine prevents stagnant water smells, hard water stains, and mineral buildup that can occur even in a toilet that hasn’t been used in a while. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026

Verb

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

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

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