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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to paint
to give color or a different color to
stained the table to look like cherry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dirty
to make dirty
oil stained his work pants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stain
Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
The process involved stenciling all the pattern pieces, pre-staining them, and adding dragon skin silicone, a strong and stretchy mold material, which was painted with glue gel to give it that wet look.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 4 May 2026
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Items must be returned in new condition, without stains, tears, damages, or signs of use.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
Picture murmurations of starlings staining the sky like ink drops or flocks of sheep flowing like liquid.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
The process involved stenciling all the pattern pieces, pre-staining them, and adding dragon skin silicone, a strong and stretchy mold material, which was painted with glue gel to give it that wet look.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 4 May 2026
Noun
Sink habits that prevent stains and clogs Family sinks collect more than toothpaste.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Items must be returned in new condition, without stains, tears, damages, or signs of use.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
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Many of Starmer’s potential opponents within the Labour Party are tainted by scandal – such as Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister who resigned last year over her failure to pay the correct amount of property tax – or untested.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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Twain was by turns amused and appalled by the histrionics that taint our tellings of history, and by the yawning gaps between myth and reality.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
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During their testimonies, Prasad and Patlola painted very different pictures of the terms of their lease agreement.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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For Labour leader and current Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the heavy losses on city councils across England, even with votes still being counted in Scotland and Wales, paint a bruising picture.—
Inaya Folarin Iman,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
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With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Use Soap And Water Tackle any paint left on the carpet or rug by creating a soap and water solution with a few drops of soap, and continuing to blot.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
-
Mix a mild detergent with water and gently blot stains with a soft cloth or sponge.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Aptly named, Robinson explains that tinted eye creams are basically skin care for the eyes that also contain some sort of tint or pigment.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
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These finger oximeters are less sensitive in people with darker skin pigment, which likely leads to underestimates of severity.—
Erika Yamazaki,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The entire proceedings have been marred by tragedy since the exhibition’s artistic director, Koyo Kouoh, died suddenly of liver cancer in early 2025, leaving her staff to complete the last year of work.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
5 May 2026
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The Australian Jewish Association welcomed the report’s release but said it was marred by failing to address the form of antisemitic extremism said to have motivated the Bondi Beach shooters.—
Philissa Cramer,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The snake is copper-colored, light brown or tan.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
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The Xerces Society offers free, print-at-home signs including a kids' version that children can color.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
Verb
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And one track prominently features a country singer, a drastic departure from the usual Fire-Toolz mélange of screensaver EDM, Hypercolor death metal, blackened new age, and copious other mutant genres that usually don’t mix.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
8 May 2026
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The mosque is blackened and burned, the minaret split in two.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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