1
as in blots
a mark of guilt or disgrace
the stain of this cowardly act would haunt him for the rest of his career
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in taints
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paints
to give color or a different color to
stained the table to look like cherry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in smudges
to make dirty
oil stained his work pants
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 stains
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Items must be returned in new condition, without stains, tears, damages, or signs of use.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026
Blood stains and duct tape In the days that followed, Hillsborough County sheriff’s detectives took the lead in efforts to find the missing students.
—Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
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
When treating stains, gently blot the area to avoid damaging the fibers over time.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026
From waterproof eye makeup to long-wearing lip stains, this cleansing balm doesn’t mess around.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026
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
The piercing doesn't necessarily damage the trees, but their excrement, which is high in sugar, stains the trees and blocks photosynthesis, which eventually suffocates the trees, the researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Season with salt and lots of pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, until the turmeric stains the mixture a wonderful golden color and the liquid starts to steam, about 3 minutes.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
Blood still regularly stains the floors of the Coliseum’s rings.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
In some cases, washing white clothes in hot water can help remove stains and maintain brightness.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Items must be returned in new condition, without stains, tears, damages, or signs of use.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026
Blood stains and duct tape In the days that followed, Hillsborough County sheriff’s detectives took the lead in efforts to find the missing students.
—Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
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
When treating stains, gently blot the area to avoid damaging the fibers over time.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026
From waterproof eye makeup to long-wearing lip stains, this cleansing balm doesn’t mess around.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 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, 27 Mar. 2026
Every failure of the state now stains the turban as well as the uniform.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
The piercing doesn't necessarily damage the trees, but their excrement, which is high in sugar, stains the trees and blocks photosynthesis, which eventually suffocates the trees, the researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Season with salt and lots of pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, until the turmeric stains the mixture a wonderful golden color and the liquid starts to steam, about 3 minutes.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
Blood still regularly stains the floors of the Coliseum’s rings.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stains
Noun
-
The songs spread outward from Morris’ small voice like paper towel blots.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
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 sarcasm taints the question but doesn’t invalidate it.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
-
Cleaning dirt and smudges off window glass helps sunlight penetrate into your home and will boost the amount of light that’s available to your houseplants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Dim sunlight smudges skies for only a few hours in the depth of winter.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The market — deliberately not referred to as a pantry to slash stigmas around emergency food — opened in February through a partnership between City Colleges of Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
There’s still much to discover about the biology underlying these distinctions, but research suggests that hormonal fluctuations throughout life, differences in upper airway anatomy, and even social stigmas about how women should sleep are likely at play.—
Katie Camero,
SELF,
16 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
-
Sensing Scarlet’s resolve to destroy him, Claudius poisons her.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stains. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
