1
as in flag
a piece of cloth with a special design that is used as an emblem or for signaling
flew their country's colors atop the highest mast on the ship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in troops
the combined army, air force, and navy of a nation
she hopes to carry on the family tradition and serve with the colors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nature
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others
we saw his true colors during the emergency
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in paints
to give color or a different color to
per the couple's request, the baker used natural ingredients like beet juice and turmeric to color the icing for the wedding cake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exaggerates
to add to the interest of by including made-up details
he gave a highly colored version of a rather mundane experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in distorts
to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of
his news reporting is colored by his prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in blushes
to develop a rosy facial color (as from excitement or embarrassment)
she colored after hearing the nasty remarks about her weight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 colors
Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The Labubu keychains everyone is obsessed with are furry and come in different colors, shapes and sizes.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Made viral by TikTok user Robyn Delmonte, the red-nail theory works similar to the manifestation manicure, in which wearing certain nail polish colors can help influence your future.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
The Series 11 also has access to a wider range of finishes as it is offered in four aluminum colors (jet black, rose gold, silver, and space gray) and three titanium colors (slate, gold, and natural), whereas the Watch SE 3 only comes in aluminum in midnight and starlight.
—PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Shop them in 10 different colors before the deal ends.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025
The refined maximalists gave us pointers for how to curate a space that plays with bold patterns, bright colors, and various textures without going overboard.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
The organic cotton poplin pick is available in three colors, including a teal shade, which will add a touch of color to my fall travel outfits.
—Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025
If metallic bronze isn’t your aesthetic, the pumpkins come in a whopping 24 colors, including autumnal neutrals like classic orange and white, as well as fun bubblegum pink and aqua blue shades.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
David Phelan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
This pint-sized loropetalum produces stunning purple foliage that colors the garden all year long.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
Two games in, though, the Packers have passed both tests with flying colors.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The Labubu keychains everyone is obsessed with are furry and come in different colors, shapes and sizes.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Made viral by TikTok user Robyn Delmonte, the red-nail theory works similar to the manifestation manicure, in which wearing certain nail polish colors can help influence your future.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
The Series 11 also has access to a wider range of finishes as it is offered in four aluminum colors (jet black, rose gold, silver, and space gray) and three titanium colors (slate, gold, and natural), whereas the Watch SE 3 only comes in aluminum in midnight and starlight.
—PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Shop them in 10 different colors before the deal ends.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025
The refined maximalists gave us pointers for how to curate a space that plays with bold patterns, bright colors, and various textures without going overboard.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
The organic cotton poplin pick is available in three colors, including a teal shade, which will add a touch of color to my fall travel outfits.
—Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025
If metallic bronze isn’t your aesthetic, the pumpkins come in a whopping 24 colors, including autumnal neutrals like classic orange and white, as well as fun bubblegum pink and aqua blue shades.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
And a new report from the same source suggests what colors the cases for the iPhone 17 Pro will include.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
This pint-sized loropetalum produces stunning purple foliage that colors the garden all year long.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colors
Noun
-
Despite facing challenges to get the march off the ground this year, supporters came bearing flags, signs and spirit on the eve of the Boise Pride Festival, which takes place this weekend.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Chiefs fans had a brief glimmer of hope as a flag was thrown on LA’s touchdown.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
On Tuesday night, the Nepali army deployed troops to restore order after prominent government buildings were set on fire, politicians were attacked and violent clashes erupted between protesters and government forces.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
-
On top of that, the Wawa Foundation also sends care packages to troops, and the employees can receive tuition assistance.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Golden generations are, almost by nature, generally followed by a less impressive one.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
By learning from nature’s most flexible swimmer, the octopus, researchers hope to overcome these challenges and make underwater machines more capable, adaptable, and sustainable.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While some, perhaps most, of Spicoli’s behavior paints him as the imperfect role model, there is something to be gleaned from the surfer bro’s rebellion.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Now Blitzer’s reporting paints a vivid—and horrifying—portrait of the lives that have been upended by the Administration’s most cruel policies.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The fact that the company exaggerates the job numbers, as well as the true number of states where the plane produces a significant number of jobs does not alter the fact that economic arguments carry a lot of weight in Congressional decisions on weapons procurement.—
William Hartung,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Mandel criticized the media for accepting Hamas’s claims at face value, which exaggerates the crisis and undermines non-Hamas aid efforts.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Beyond 100 people, culture often fragments, communication distorts and the founder’s vision weakens.—
Jonathan Low,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Organizers have labelled the move a blatant act of erasure that distorts history — a stark contrast to the joy and visibility celebrated at the cookout.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While at dusk, the horizon blushes with coral light as fishing boats drift past the silhouette of Longtou Rock.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
At Trinity, an LGBTQ banner hangs in the front window.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Karyn and Kevin Yarris are producing under their Wildwood Entertainment banner, with Farrah West handling casting.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colors. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share