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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stain
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
There are showstoppers, like the Zaveri house (also known as the House with 365 Windows) which is now stained black with grit, its grand pilasters and geometric facade carvings in dire need of restoration, and the Teen Khuniya (or Three-Cornered House), with its distinctive triangular layout.
—Kalpana Sunder, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
And, since poop stains on the ice are sometimes visible from space, scientists have used the birds’ feces to identify multiple previously unknown penguin colonies using satellite imagery.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
Although no-makeup may seem ideal in a Parisian train station, which was the inspiration behind the look, poetic taupes shape tired eyes and lips stained with last night’s lipstick speak to weary, bouffant-haired travellers instead.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
There are showstoppers, like the Zaveri house (also known as the House with 365 Windows) which is now stained black with grit, its grand pilasters and geometric facade carvings in dire need of restoration, and the Teen Khuniya (or Three-Cornered House), with its distinctive triangular layout.
—Kalpana Sunder, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
The affected stains are then wiped away with a cloth.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
And, since poop stains on the ice are sometimes visible from space, scientists have used the birds’ feces to identify multiple previously unknown penguin colonies using satellite imagery.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
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Listen to this article Two state utilities have asked a judge to order Connecticut’s chief regulator to produce cellphone data and other materials that the companies say could show that a rate decision slashing their revenue last year was tainted by bias and other procedural irregularities.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2025
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The movement also was tainted by instances of rampant antisemitism, which Khalil disavowed.—
Chelsea Bailey, Gloria Pazmino and Taylor Galgano,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The best times of year to paint your home are early summer and early fall.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Mar. 2025
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Whether painted, re-printed, or scanned, there are endless ways to take the words and handwriting on the card and turn them into something long lasting.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Grease dirtied the handles of the ovens, the microwave ovens and the coolers.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2025
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Instead of dirtying a larger pot for your supporting dishes, this quaint cooker will come in handy for quick (or slower simmering) concoctions while matching your kitchen atmosphere.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Even in victory, there had to be a blot in the Leeds copybook.—
Beren Cross,
The Athletic,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Dab with a clean damp cloth to remove soapy residue, then blot dry.—
Jessica Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Just give the pen a shake before use and store it cap-side-down so the pigment doesn't dry out.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
26 Mar. 2025
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To finish the tinting process, peel off any excess pigment.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Rodgers was cut by the New York Jets earlier this year following two seasons marred by an achilles injury and 6-12 overall record as the team’s starting quarterback.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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For Harris and his teammates, March Madness presents an opportunity for redemption after a season marred by a dozen losses.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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To create the print, tiny holes were punched into a thin metal plate, leaving a highly detailed and stylized black-and-white ink image that was later colored by hand.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Mar. 2025
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Land and property ownership have colored American politics since the very beginning of our democracy in New England in the 1600s.—
Made by History,
TIME,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Unlike a total solar eclipse, when the disk of the sun is completely blackened, an eclipsed moon does not vanish completely from the sky.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
TIME,
11 Mar. 2025
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But the negro resents and utterly repudiates the effort to blacken his good name by asserting that assaults upon women are peculiar to his race.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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