Synonyms of stain

stain 1 of 2

verb

ˈstān 

1

as in to taint

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable

her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• taint
• mar
• poison
• spoil
• darken
• touch
• tarnish
• blemish
• smear
• soil
• degrade
• smudge
• blacken
• dirty
• vitiate
• discredit
• discolor
• distort
• corrupt
• tar
• blur
• disgrace
• pollute
• besmirch
• shame
• sully
• cloud
• dishonor
• smirch
• besmear
• smut
• color
• sink
• pervert
• abase
• lower
• debase
• demean
• foul
• subvert
• deprave
• cheapen
• debauch
• twist
• demoralize
• begrime
• bastardize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleanse
• purify
• elevate
• glorify
• magnify
• uplift
• dignify
• ennoble
• enshrine
• hallow

2

as in to paint

to give color or a different color to

stained the table to look like cherry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paint
• color
• dye
• tint
• pigment
• brighten
• tincture
• tinge
• darken
• stripe
• bepaint
• lighten
• fleck
• marble
• tone (down)
• streak
• pattern
• speck
• speckle
• mottle
• striate
• polychrome
• daub
• checker
• dapple
• variegate
• embrown

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bleach
• decolorize
• whiten
• blanch

3

as in to dirty

to make dirty

oil stained his work pants

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dirty
• blacken
• smudge
• soil
• mess
• muck
• smirch
• besmirch
• grime
• muddy
• sully
• daub
• mire
• befoul
• taint
• distain
• foul
• contaminate
• discolor
• gaum
• bemire
• pollute
• begrime
• defile
• disarray
• disorder
• disarrange
• muddle
• dishevel
• jumble
• crock
• draggle
• confuse
• colly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• cleanse
• purify
• wipe
• purge
• wash
• decontaminate
• brush
• disinfect
• sweep
• scrub
• dust
• rinse
• mop
• sanitize
• renew
• launder
• scour
• brighten
• freshen
• spruce (up)
• straighten (up)
• dry-clean
• deodorize
• tidy (up)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blot
• taint
• stigma
• smudge
• guilt
• shame
• disgrace
• brand
• slur
• smirch
• spot
• sin
• onus
• ignominy
• infamy
• odium
• dishonor
• discredit
• reproach
• corruption
• disrepute
• obloquy
• black eye
• opprobrium
• immorality
• iniquity
• vice
• licentiousness
• depravity
• disesteem
• debauchery
• unscrupulousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• credit
• purity
• award
• honor
• right
• modesty
• chastity
• good
• integrity
• legitimacy
• stainlessness
• rectitude
• honesty
• goodness
• chasteness
• righteousness
• uprightness
• probity
• glory
• fame
• repute
• scrupulousness
• renown
• virtuousness

2

as in pigment

a substance used to color other materials

applied several coats of stain to the wood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pigment
• dye
• coloring
• color
• colorant
• hue
• dyestuff
• tint
• tinge
• toner
• shade
• cast

Examples of stain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Authorities said she was found naked with her own belt around her neck, adding that her clothes, which were nearby, were stained with bleach, according to The Kansas City Star. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 12 Oct. 2024

White oak cabinets are her favorite because white oak has a clean grain that can be easily stained in almost any color. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2024

Noun

This little machine packs a major punch on cleaning power that can get rid of all those pet stains, wine stains, and other issues. —Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024

Water stains and damage to the roof, siding, yard, and foundation can occur when the gutters are too full for water to drain properly. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2024