dyes 1 of 2

noun

plural of dye
as in pigments
a substance used to color other materials soaked the fabric in blue dye

Synonyms & Similar Words

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dyes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dye
as in paints
to give color or a different color to dyed her hair a startling red

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dyes
Noun
And the Bluesign System Black Limits (BSBL) establishes threshold limits for substances contained in chemical formulations used during manufacturing, such as dyes. — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026 Crafted in Portugal, the towel is finished with fade-resistant dyes to help preserve its crisp appearance over time. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Aug. 2026 Rather than relying on traditional petrochemical dyes, the company uses biopolymers and iron oxide to create what Berlan describes as a hybrid molecule. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026 Three other grocery retailers—Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Save A Lot—have either eliminated dyes from their food products or are in the process of doing so for their private-label brands. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 7 Aug. 2026 By the end of 2026, Froot Loops and Apple Jacks will get an overhaul, as parent company Kellogg's has promised to remove all artificial dyes in its cereals. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 In 2024, dozens of people rallied outside Kellogg’s headquarters and delivered petitions with 400,000 signatures asking the company to remove artificial dyes and BHT. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Beyond the dyes, the FDA began a systematic review of food chemicals. — Avik Roy, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Cotton used in tampons, for example, could have absorbed metals from water, air, or soil, or from materials added during manufacturing, such as dyes, or even during factory processing. — Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 22 July 2026
Verb
As fans of the book may recall, Sloane dyes her hair to match her employer—no wonder Lohan and Woodley look like blonde twins! — Meg Walters, InStyle, 13 June 2026 This information is conveyed by a hilariously avant-garde Poulter, playing the store’s manager, who dyes his hair to match each monochromatic scheme and hides his nefariousness behind a company policy that requires techno music to be played at maximum volume at all times. — Jada Yuan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026 Colored smoke, such as the green plumes, are typically only colorful due to a chemical that dyes the smoke and is not considered more dangerous. — Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 Its distinctive crackle is owed to its blend of white and black glutinous rice, whose runoff color dyes the former lavender. — Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dyes
  1. pigments
  2. paints
  3. colors
  4. stains
  5. colorants
  6. tints
  7. colorings
Noun
  • The key to most waterproof formulas are waxes or silicones, which protect the pigments from water and prevents it from breaking down.
    — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Its red-purple edges come from anthocyanins, plant pigments associated with heart health.
    — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026
Definition of pigments
Verb
  • August polling from Emerson College paints a tight race, with Paxton leading Talarico by 1 percentage point in a 47-46 split.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Worley’s political action committee created two Adam Cervera websites, one that paints him as tied to Democrats and another that aligns him with Republicans.
    — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of paints
Noun
  • The logo pairs yellow, drawn from colors associated with celebration in Tamil Nadu including turmeric and marigold, with electric blue for a contemporary, premium look.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Xerjoff’s distinctive flacon is bathed in three dynamic colors that boldly represent Lamborghini’s super sports cars.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of colors
Verb
  • 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
Definition of stains
Noun
  • Updates across the lists include new restrictions on flame retardants and colorants, new or tightened limits on some chemicals and metals, and new substance limits for jewelry.
    — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession—there wasn’t really any other choice—but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of colorants
Verb
  • Turmeric tints the cream an almost glowing gold, and a heap of sharp white cheddar melts straight into the mix, giving it both body and tang.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
  • Anyone who tints or colors their hair knows all about this.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
Definition of tints
Noun
  • Shen wondered whether there was a random model that could produce clique-free colorings more efficiently than Erdős’ approach.
    — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2026
  • Its nostalgic pink look is certainly a throwback to streetside cotton candy machines, but this time, the shade comes entirely from vegetable colorings and turmeric, rather than artificial colors.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2026
Definition of colorings

Browse Nearby Words

dyeing
dyes
dyestuff
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Cite this Entry

“Dyes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dyes. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dyes

Nglish: Translation of dyes for Spanish Speakers

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