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
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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
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The white oak and stained walnut variations make space for a light-blanched vibe or a woodier and more sensational approach, depending on your preference.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Jan. 2026
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Infested trees often display thinning canopies and black or red stains on the trunk.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stain
Verb
Chicken thighs first absorb a garlicky, peppery spice marinade stained with turmeric to accentuate the golden crust.
—Noun
Use an Enzymatic Cleaning Agent on Carpets To remove lingering pet odors from carpets, Welch recommends using enzymatic carpet cleaning agents that are safe for pets and specifically designed to address pet stains and odor issues.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
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Lawyers also argued the conviction should be overturned because the verdict was tainted by the media attention and due to faulty instructions to the jury.—
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Just as one bite of a cookie might not happen to contain chocolate chips, one small sample of drugs might not include fentanyl even if the larger supply is tainted, the agency’s website explains.—
Verb
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During the week, Barton often painted an image of himself as more sinned against than sinning.—
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Asthma attacks, severe headaches and lesions on her arms and legs painted a mysterious picture for doctors, some of whom suggested the pain was all in her head.—
Verb
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Keep them in reserve as a sleep sock to ward off icy toes and prevent sweat and skin oils from dirtying your down sleeping bag.—
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Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside.—
Noun
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Spray the mixture onto the stain and then blot with a clean microfiber cloth.—
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After a few minutes, blot the area and wash the item by hand.—
Noun
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The heat can set what’s left of the polish/pigment into the fabric fibers.—
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This reaction produces melanin, a brown-black pigment that's also found in humans.—
Verb
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This dynamic marred the 2012-13 Hurricane Sandy package and has recurred in other disaster bills, not because relief is illegitimate but because speed plus political cover invites provisions that would die in regular order.—
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Sook’s comments followed Nexstar’s report of quarterly results, which were marred by the absence of political advertising compared with the same quarter in 2024.—
Verb
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Warm yellow lends itself well to color drenching a utilitarian space such as a laundry room, but also makes for a fun accent color for throw pillows or decorative pottery.—
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His family dressed him in a yellow T-shirt to match the rest of the family, who color coordinated as a symbol of welcoming Terry back home.—
Verb
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In all, more than 8,000 California wildfires blackened 525,223 acres, killed 31 people and burned 16,512 structures in the past year, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.—
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While old shoes washing ashore might sound unique, this isn’t the first time that these leather shoes — well-preserved and blackened with time — have been found in the area.—
Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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