STAINS Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

stains 1 of 2

noun

plural of stain

as in blots

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

as in pigments

a substance used to color other materials applied several coats of stain to the wood

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stains

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stain

as in taints

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat

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as in paints

to give color or a different color to stained the table to look like cherry

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as in smudges

to make dirty oil stained his work pants

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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

Noun

They’re engineered to be both soft and sturdy with open-cell foam that doesn’t scratch but does whisk away lipstick marks and dried-on Merlot stains. — Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Recent photos of the inside appear to show puddles and stains from water damage and char marks from fire. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 In the backyard of the home, directly outside Douglas Herlihy’s bedroom window, the police found carpet and carpet padding with blood stains. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Others have used it to remove oily stains from their toddlers like crayon marks on carpet, and one reviewer says it’s saved many of their clothes from being ruined in a household with unavoidable messes from both kids and pets. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026 Covers shield upholstery from coffee spills, food stains, pet accidents and everyday messes. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 Adding baking soda to interior grease stains can act as a gentle abrasive to scrub them away. — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Advocates argue carts are silent, occupy less space than tourist vans and buses, and don’t choke the air with exhaust that also stains historic monuments. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 The man lies a few yards behind them, but the image stains her field of vision. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 The self-tan wipes are easy to apply and contain exfoliating acids that smooth the skin, plus encapsulated DHA (the ingredient that stains the skin) to leave behind a radiant tan. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2026 Homemade plum compote stains the filling with a vibrant red ribbon. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026 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 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

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.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
One of the few blots on last summer’s Leeds copybook.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 May 2026

Definition of blots

Noun

Its Gallery 3 technology uses colored pigments that move to form the image.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
The company made use of burgeoning microneedle patch technology, placing the microneedles in select designs like stars and hearts on the patch, and embedding pigments in the miniscule needles.

— Avery Stone, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of pigments

Verb

Four families living near Meta’s Newton County data center are suing the tech giant, claiming the massive facility taints their drinking water and disrupts their daily lives.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
That’s been an idiotic trope for too long — that participating in the business side of it taints you.

— Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

Definition of taints

Verb

Pro Football Reference paints a more positive picture (15 of 21 for 136).

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Shapira paints a picture of a kinder, gentler war, where technology takes soldiers away from the trenches and from the tanks, to a chair behind a screen.

— Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of paints

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

Definition of smudges

Noun

Courtesy of WorldSkills Is one of the world’s most pernicious social stigmas finally lifting?

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026
Dating with a pet — any pet — brings with it obstacles, but our cat stigmas aren’t helping.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of stigmas

Noun

Textile recycling also presents challenges due to other factors, such as material blends and finishes such as dyes, zippers and other details added to the fabric.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Hair dyes Some patients can be allergic to certain hair-dye ingredients.

— Kara McGrath, Allure, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of dyes

Verb

Set in 2029 in a future where no mutants have been born in 25 years, Jackman plays an older, grizzlier Wolverine, one whose healing factor is fading as his adamantium skeleton slowly poisons him.

— Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
Any infection can progress to a systemic disease that poisons the blood and body.

— RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of poisons

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stainlessness

stains

stake

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Style

“Stains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stains. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stains

noun

verb

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