stain 1 of 2

verb

ˈstān How to pronounce stain (audio)
Definition of stainnext
1
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to paint
to give color or a different color to stained the table to look like cherry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dirty
to make dirty oil stained his work pants

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stain

2 of 2

noun

1
as in blot
a mark of guilt or disgrace the stain of this cowardly act would haunt him for the rest of his career

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pigment
a substance used to color other materials applied several coats of stain to the wood

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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 stain
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 However, maintenance is difficult, as stainless steel can still stain in extreme environments such as a grill. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
Silicone is also notorious for holding on to stains and smells, but that's a fundamental problem with the material, and not unique to these containers. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026 The result is an ash color with purple stain and a fine silver pigment that Rolls-Royce assures won’t go green with UV exposure. — Alistair Charlton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
  1. taint
  2. paint
  3. dirty
  4. blot
  5. pigment
  6. mar
  7. color
  8. blacken
Verb
  • In July, the US was hit with a wave of explosive diarrhea caused by an outbreak of cyclospora, a parasite that spreads through food and water tainted with human feces.
    — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The president has pointed to Cohen’s reversal in the Daniels case as evidence that his own conviction on 34 felony counts was tainted.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of taint
Verb
  • Bait doesn’t always paint your character, Shah, in a positive light.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
  • They are told to explain the business case, paint a compelling vision of the future, define the benefits of the change and communicate them throughout the organization.
    — John Radman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of paint
Verb
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • The zipper shoe compartment keeps your shoes from dirtying up your clothing, and the massive interior can hold many outfits for your weekend getaway.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirty
Noun
  • If especially juicy, lightly blot with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Once the stain is gone, blot again with a clean damp cloth to remove any soap residue and allow the upholstery to air-dry completely.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of blot
Noun
  • Crafted in Japan, Fluid Flex Foundation Technology is a polymer blend, infused with color-true longwear pigments that resist oxidation, while starfruit extract helps oil and shine control.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • One involved dyeing fingernails with garden balsam, a natural pigment traditionally associated with beauty and blessings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of pigment
Verb
  • The firm, backed by SoftBank and Goldman Sachs, was marred by employees who pointed to Garg’s reputation for being a brash leader.
    — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Some cautioned that a prolonged war, especially one marred by a steady stream of American casualties and little visible progress, could eventually weigh on recruiting at the margins.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of mar
Verb
  • Although often brightly colored on the inside, their shells are usually white, tan, or brown on the outside.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Defense procurement officials are incentivized to never color outside the lines.
    — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of color
Verb
  • Timber Fire Monterey County’s Timber Fire burning near Big Sur has blackened nearly 2,500 acres since its start Monday afternoon and is 5% contained.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The old silver and gold shops, their facades blackened by time, were gone.
    — Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of blacken

Browse Nearby Words

staidness
stain
stained
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Cite this Entry

“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stain

Nglish: Translation of stain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stain

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