as in paints
to give color or a different color to
dyed her hair a startling red
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 dyes
Caley Sturgill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
The preview highlighted natural dyes made from food waste, the cochineal cactus, and bacteria found along the Amazon River in Brazil.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
Prioritize Pure Ingredients Many protein powders contain dyes, artificial flavoring, thickening agents, emulsifiers, and other additives that don't occur in nature.
—Maggie Donahue, Health, 28 Apr. 2026
Inks on glossy paper may contain heavy metals, while inks on non-glossy papers are usually made with vegetable dyes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
In that case, preservative-free beef sticks and candy without artificial dyes will make little difference.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026
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
Ultra-concentrated, enzyme-rich formulas deliver best-in-class cleaning power without harsh chemicals, dyes, or fillers.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
As the brand announced in October, lower sugar and no FD&C dyes can be expected in the near future.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Jada Yuan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Colored smoke, such as the green plumes, are typically only colorful due to a chemical that dyes the smoke and is not considered more dangerous.
—Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Its distinctive crackle is owed to its blend of white and black glutinous rice, whose runoff color dyes the former lavender.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 May 2025
Noun
With their eco-friendly design that’s free from toxic glues, dyes, and microplastics, shoppers love that these cutting boards are food-safe and durable enough to last for years.
—Caley Sturgill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
The preview highlighted natural dyes made from food waste, the cochineal cactus, and bacteria found along the Amazon River in Brazil.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
Prioritize Pure Ingredients Many protein powders contain dyes, artificial flavoring, thickening agents, emulsifiers, and other additives that don't occur in nature.
—Maggie Donahue, Health, 28 Apr. 2026
Inks on glossy paper may contain heavy metals, while inks on non-glossy papers are usually made with vegetable dyes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
In that case, preservative-free beef sticks and candy without artificial dyes will make little difference.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026
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
Ultra-concentrated, enzyme-rich formulas deliver best-in-class cleaning power without harsh chemicals, dyes, or fillers.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
As the brand announced in October, lower sugar and no FD&C dyes can be expected in the near future.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
This information is conveyed by a hilariously avant-garde Poulter, playing the store’s manager, who dyes his hair to match each monochromatic scheme and hides his nefariousness behind a company policy that requires techno music to be played at maximum volume at all times.
—Jada Yuan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Colored smoke, such as the green plumes, are typically only colorful due to a chemical that dyes the smoke and is not considered more dangerous.
—Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Its distinctive crackle is owed to its blend of white and black glutinous rice, whose runoff color dyes the former lavender.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dyes
Noun
-
The shampoo uses highly concentrated violet pigments (which give it that signature purple hue) to neutralize yellow tones on contact.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In simpler terms, this lobster carries two distinct sets of genetic instructions — one set controlling the color pigments on one side of its shell, the other controlling the opposite side.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Cascio’s lawsuit paints a lurid picture of Jackson giving the siblings drugs and alcohol and exposing them to child pornography, all to help facilitate the abuse and manipulation.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
So that opens the evening and paints a picture of how out of control things can feel sometimes.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Maroon name refers to one of the school’s colors and is a homage to the University of Chicago, which goes by the same name, according to local historians.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Not only will marigolds trap the aphids and whiteflies that threaten your cheerful gerbera daisies, but the combination of colors between the two blooms makes for the most brilliant and happy summer garden.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What Sacks doesn’t get is that by financing and diplomatically supporting Israel, our country makes the crimes of the Israeli government possible, which stains America’s reputation in the world and drains our Treasury.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Every failure of the state now stains the turban as well as the uniform.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession—there wasn’t really any other choice—but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But that other supplier would have to try to reverse engineer that particular dye — formulas for dyes and colorants were, in spite of being in service to the war effort, still proprietary — and backward engineering color from a finished product is a crapshoot.—
Kory Stamper,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Turmeric tints the cream an almost glowing gold, and a heap of sharp white cheddar melts straight into the mix, giving it both body and tang.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Nov. 2025
-
Anyone who tints or colors their hair knows all about this.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Growing adoption of natural food colorings in that market could drive a more than 200% increase in Sensient’s color group sales by 2030, according to the bank’s recent note.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Over-micing of the looming Tim the Enchanter, against a psychedelic overboil of bright, surreal colorings on the screens, washed out much of the scene below.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dyes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dyes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
