1
2
as in color
the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face
the pale coloring of people of Irish descent
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts
the unexciting facts were given a sensational coloring in the local news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in painting
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 exaggerating
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 distorting
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 blushing
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 coloring
Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 19 Apr. 2026
The coloring and low profile on this design still feels neutral while adding a little visual interest with the ornate patterning.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
As someone who’s spent half her life coloring her hair–from bleach blonde to cherry red–I’m well acquainted with both the thrill and the responsibility that comes with a new shade.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coloring
Noun
But gray coloring combined with any other warning sign is reason to discard immediately.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 19 Apr. 2026
The coloring and low profile on this design still feels neutral while adding a little visual interest with the ornate patterning.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
The most common culprits include chemical treatments and exposure (think blow-drying, heat-styling, perming, keratin treatments, bleaching, and all types of hair coloring), drying or stripping hair products, and infrequent haircuts.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
As someone who’s spent half her life coloring her hair–from bleach blonde to cherry red–I’m well acquainted with both the thrill and the responsibility that comes with a new shade.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coloring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coloring
Noun
-
You’ll be left with the perfect amount of pigment to do all of the above and more.—
Sarah Kinonen,
Allure,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The range-topping variant is available in an exclusive finish dubbed Titan Silver, which resembles liquid metal thanks to a combination of fine aluminum flake and advanced pigment technology.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These teams are growing fiber from bacteria, engineering cotton that comes out of the ground in color and creating silk like fibers from compost.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The centrality of the extra-long flyback chronograph seconds hand (in a straw-yellow color) nods to his belief that the watch is, at heart, an instrument.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Williams, of course, worked at NBC for nearly three decades, including an 11-year run at NBC Nightly News that ended 2015 after exaggerations and falsehoods were found in some of his reporting, including reports from Iraq, and from New Orleans after it had been ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The novel reads, in retrospect, less like exaggeration than reportage from inside a culture already learning to treat life as publicity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her story bridges personal reinvention, financial literacy, and access to opportunity, painting a picture of a life led by change and growth.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Customize it by painting the wood a fun color or staining it for a rustic look.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But in early 2024, a short seller accused it of exaggerating the role of artificial intelligence in its business model, leading to a class action lawsuit and a 30% drop in its share price.—
Perrie M. Weiner,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Iranian hackers boasted online of the hacks against Patel and the medical device maker while exaggerating their impact.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Normalizing interactions where such limitations do not exist risks distorting the very standard by which human love is measured.—
Oluwaseun Damilola Sanwoolu,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The front has square glass block masonry on the lower half, which lets light in while reducing what's visible outside by distorting the view.—
Stefan Ionescu
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
New Jersey forest cherries, bright yellow, blushing red.—
John McPhee,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
These blushing spring radishes add a lovely color and flavor to little gem lettuces.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The formula is plant-based and fragrance is from essential oils—no ammonia, chlorine, or synthetic dyes.—
Jamie Thilman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Among them is a purple dye drawn from a sea snail found along the coast, a resource that has become increasingly difficult to gather as the species declines.—
María Teresa Hernández,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coloring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coloring. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
