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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to paint
to give color or a different color to
stained the table to look like cherry
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stain
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
As those natural oils break down, the wood may become dry, dull, and more prone to cracking or staining.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
His inability to recognize the oxymoron makes Cole’s introspection on this topic feel less like a genuine reckoning and more like a feeble attempt at bleaching out the darkest stains of his career.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
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
As those natural oils break down, the wood may become dry, dull, and more prone to cracking or staining.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
Mike lies to Daisy, for no reason, that there wasn’t a lipstick stain on a glass Mary sent back — red flag.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
His inability to recognize the oxymoron makes Cole’s introspection on this topic feel less like a genuine reckoning and more like a feeble attempt at bleaching out the darkest stains of his career.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
-
That means every angle needs to be screen-ready and not tainted by equipment, crew or the director.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
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The entire imbroglio proved hugely damaging, not only to Boohoo but also the Leicester garment industry, which was already struggling to cope with the manufacturing shift overseas before the fear of being tainted by scandal led its remaining buyers to flee en masse.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The city chose California artist Timothy Robert Smith, who has painted murals in public places such as skate parks and underpasses and was paid $50,000 for the Fort Lauderdale project.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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The data paints a stark picture.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The spoon even comes with measuring lines for a teaspoon and tablespoon, saving you from having to dirty another utensil.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
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The adventurous actress dirties up her frock and face to play the village pariah, who reeks of fish and would be no man’s idea of a suitable wife, except perhaps the one-eyed bum who sleeps in the town square.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Vacuum and blot up any excess liquid or debris, then apply your cleanser or solvent.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
30 Jan. 2026
-
If using a buildable tint, blot, then reapply a thin second layer.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lip balm or gloss can be a little too thick, and in this case, the pigment might not cling as well.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
Refinery29,
5 Feb. 2026
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When exposed to air, polyphenol oxidase undergoes a series of chemical reactions that produce melanin, a brownish pigment.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
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Hubbard’s own time at UT was marred by controversy over his study of pederasty, the study of adult male relationships with boys in ancient Greece.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The movie would not ultimately get made, but her work on it colors her memories of early motherhood.—
Rebecca Traister,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
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Dark Stones Gone are the days of all-white kitchens; designers are more than thrilled to say yes to color.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And Hanceville’s fate is as murky as the fog that pours in at night, blotting out buildings and blackening the road ahead.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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These tungsten atoms would then condense on the slightly cooler inside of the glass bulb, blackening it and dimming the light over time.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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