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
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Choose a product labeled for patio use (less likely to stain) and for the type of weeds (broadleaf or grassy).
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
The recently paused hepatitis B trial has similarly been likened to this stain on American history.
—Uzma Rentia, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
Choose from five great scents or opt for unscented; the aluminum-free formula doesn't stain clothes.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Choose a product labeled for patio use (less likely to stain) and for the type of weeds (broadleaf or grassy).
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
By addressing messes quickly and effectively, these types of products can help prevent stains, odors, and wear that often lead to deeper cleaning, repairs, or replacements.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
The recently paused hepatitis B trial has similarly been likened to this stain on American history.
—Uzma Rentia, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
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An expert who spoke to New York magazine estimated that about 30 percent of the peptides tested for clients were contaminated or otherwise tainted.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Court exhibit But that, too, Casteleiro argued, was tainted.—
Mary Murphy,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Eight muscular feet tall, it is carved from cork and then selectively painted—a distant echo of tribal markings.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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For an all-important sit-down dinner set inside Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper Museum, a team of Italian scenic painters—led by a woman who manages backdrops for an opera in Rome—built and painted a replica on a local soundstage that was about ¾ the size of the original.—
Mara Reinstein,
Architectural Digest,
1 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
-
Spot Clean Stains For sweat stains, urine or spills, blot the area with a clean cloth and a mild cleaning solution.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
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The broad scenario is one in which Iran is, at best, a minor blot in the rearview mirror as America’s interests move elsewhere.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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You’ll be left with the perfect amount of pigment to do all of the above and more.—
Sarah Kinonen,
Allure,
30 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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That project was marred by a labor investigation, which BYD and its contractors settled late last year.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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May Day rallies in Turkey are frequently marred by clashes with authorities.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The lower half of his leg was darkly colored, indicating bleeding under his skin.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
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On the paths between gravestones are colored footprints, as if left by cartoon characters.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Loss of valuables in the ruins The exteriors of some buildings remained blackened from the flames.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The exteriors of some buildings remained blackened from the flames, a reminder of the tragedy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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