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.
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Recent Examples of stains
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
2 July 2026
Furniture bears scratches, repairs, and stains that remind us that somebody was here before.
—
Emmanuel Olunkwa,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
These work by releasing oxygen bubbles that literally oxidize the stains and dinginess.
—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
1 July 2026
Instead, quartz stains when aggressive liquids like red wine, tomato sauce, or coffee react with the resin content.
—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 June 2026
Deep cleaning reimburses for extra cleaning services required to remove stains and smoke odors.
—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Common household hazardous waste items include anti-freeze, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, deck stains, pool chemicals, pesticides and household smoke detectors.
—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Textra 11 Apex is not trying to replace a heavy-duty carpet extractor, and Fanttik is clear that it is not intended for stubborn, set-in stains or pet hair removal.
—
New Atlas,
24 June 2026
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
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
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
Using a fabric rinse instead of detergent can also break down stubborn deodorant stains.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
2 July 2026
Furniture bears scratches, repairs, and stains that remind us that somebody was here before.
—
Emmanuel Olunkwa,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
These work by releasing oxygen bubbles that literally oxidize the stains and dinginess.
—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
1 July 2026
Instead, quartz stains when aggressive liquids like red wine, tomato sauce, or coffee react with the resin content.
—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 June 2026
Deep cleaning reimburses for extra cleaning services required to remove stains and smoke odors.
—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Common household hazardous waste items include anti-freeze, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, deck stains, pool chemicals, pesticides and household smoke detectors.
—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Textra 11 Apex is not trying to replace a heavy-duty carpet extractor, and Fanttik is clear that it is not intended for stubborn, set-in stains or pet hair removal.
—
New Atlas,
24 June 2026
Verb
When that protective finish gets damaged, the toilet actually stains easier and is harder to keep clean over time.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
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
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
-
Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me.
-
One of the few blots on last summer’s Leeds copybook.
Noun
-
With a staggering 70 shades (an upgrade from an already impressive 55 shades) and longer-wearing color pigments that don’t get distorted after a few hours, finding your shade match is a breeze.
-
In addition to fiber, raspberries contain an array of antioxidants, including vitamin C and anthocyanins, which are plant pigments that give these berries their bright color.
Verb
-
That’s been an idiotic trope for too long — that participating in the business side of it taints you.
-
The sarcasm taints the question but doesn’t invalidate it.
Verb
-
The Harris Poll, conducted between June 17–22, paints a picture of a fandom economy splitting in two.
-
But Braithwaite’s wry, wonderful novel paints a world where violent men are dealt with…sometimes by a certain sister.
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.
-
Dim sunlight smudges skies for only a few hours in the depth of winter.
Noun
-
The whole project ties together as a powerful critique of modern mental health stigmas and sexism, as history's witch hunts were byproducts of multiple layers of prejudice and misunderstanding.
-
Social-media platforms are filled with short-form videos that clumsily grapple with stigmas surrounding height supremacy.
Noun
-
The colors change to indicate how saturated the beads are, and the dyes used contain hazardous chemicals.
-
The dyes have previously been allowed under FDA regulations and oversight.
Verb
-
Despite her initial disinterest, Kara develops a personal stake when Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts), the one who killed Ruthye's parents and brother, poisons her dog Krypto.
-
In the film, Cady also poisons the family dog, Benjamin.
Cite this Entry
“Stains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stains. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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