as in pigment
a substance used to color other materials in ancient times, a mollusk was used to produce a rich purple colorant for clothing and linens

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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 colorant But some of these colorants have long been banned in the European Union, Canada and other countries without the pressure of a Delaney Clause. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025 Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat who introduced the California legislation that banned Red No. 3 in his state, said outlawing the colorant won’t result in any products being removed from U.S. supermarkets. Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 15 Jan. 2025 Though Red 3, like most artificial colorants, has no functional purpose, our brains are hardwired to prefer red foods. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 15 Jan. 2025 This funding—raised from seed investments, grants and awards—will ramp up the development and commercialization of products without synthetic chemicals from colorants for markets including fashion and cosmetics. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 30 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for colorant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colorant
Noun
  • To everyone’s surprise, the phytoplankton were not asleep either: Hoppe measured higher levels of the pigment chlorophyll—a useful proxy for active photosynthesis—in the seawater than anyone expected.
    Asher Elbein, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2025
  • That green pigment comes from centella asiatica (cica), a skin-care staple that counteracts redness and soothes irritation.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Issued on February 20, 2025, the recall was prompted by the discovery of undeclared sesame, soy, wheat, and artificial food dyes (Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Red No. 6).
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Traps can be dyed using sumac, leaf, or logwood dye, or dipped with commercially-available products like Full Metal Jacket.
    Skye Goode, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The new species was identified by its coloring, size, body proportions, eyes, scale pattern and other subtle physical features, the study said.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Prep Wet Ingredients In a 2-cup glass measuring cup combine the remaining 3/4 cup buttermilk, egg whites, vanilla and food coloring.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The designer’s debut runway collection played more with shapes and textiles than colors, keeping a very basic palette.
    Giorgia Feroldi, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2025
  • One brings flowers, another cake and Williams shows up with a magnum featuring an oversize bow in midnight blue, one of his signature colors.
    Joelle Diderich, WWD, 1 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Colorant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colorant. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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