1
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
her poor choice of companions stained her reputation somewhat
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2
as in to paint
to give color or a different color to
stained the table to look like cherry
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3
as in to dirty
to make dirty
oil stained his work pants
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of stain
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
This particular query came (stop it) during a recent interview with Variety where Daniel Craig asked if a shot of sheets stained with semen was kept in the final cut’s establishing scene.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
Denise Primbet, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2024
Pre-moistened cat wipes can help remove stains without irritating their skin.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stain 
Verb
In conducting the study, the team also developed a new technique to stain collagen fibers to analyze their impact on the skin’s mechanics.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
This particular query came (stop it) during a recent interview with Variety where Daniel Craig asked if a shot of sheets stained with semen was kept in the final cut’s establishing scene.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
That, dear fellow beauty lover, is rarely the case with Korean lip stains.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2024
Pre-moistened cat wipes can help remove stains without irritating their skin.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stain
Verb
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From its start, the settlement enterprise has been tainted by disregard for the rule of law.Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
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Amazon objected to the 2022 warehouse election results, alleging the Amazon Labor Union and the federal labor board had tainted the vote.CBS News, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Vanishing sacks: After a season of painting weekly masterpieces, Broncos DC Vance Joseph couldn’t draw himself a consistent path through the Chargers’ offensive line.Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Dec. 2024
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Over the years, she’s painted her masterpieces on the nails of Blackpink’s Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa; Aespa, G-Dragon, CL, and many more—with inspirations ranging from Goryeo-era celadon, to mother of pearl, to circuit boards.Sarah Y. Wu, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Having dirtied himself in the catacombs beneath the papacy’s home, our scrappy archaeologist emerges into none other than a resplendent re-creation of the Sistine Chapel.Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
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Arizona Republic Cool weather and the holiday season may seem like the perfect excuse to cozy up by the fire, but too many blazing yule logs can dirty the air and put some of your neighbors at risk.Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Red Wine or Dark-Colored Food Stains As quickly as possible, lift away any solids and blot, blot, blot away the moisture.Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2024
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For coffee stains on carpet, blot the spill first to soak up as much liquid as possible.Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The formula also contains purple pigments to counteract any brassiness.Jamie Ballard, Allure, 2 Jan. 2025
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These lip stains are blurring, hydrating and deliver serious pigment to easily last you the whole day without the need for a top-up.Denise Primbet, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Trump spent considerable time this year campaigning in New York, even holding rallies in the Bronx and hosting events at iconic locations like Madison Square Garden, though some have been marred by controversial comments from his supporters.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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As Callas and Stefano were far past their vocal peak, the performances were marred by difficulties.Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In addition to its coloring capabilities, the mask helps smooth the cuticles to prevent tangling.Jenny Berg, Allure, 31 Dec. 2024
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Some follow a format while others color outside the lines; some are live takes while others come from the studio; some sound like products of their eras while others go for something timeless.Justin Curto, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The surrounding hills were blackened, the aftermath of brush fires started by wayward rockets.Jack Nicas, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024
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On the city’s main shopping street, businesses that once bustled in the holiday season have been pulverized, and some of those that remain have been blackened by fire.Euan Ward, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Stain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stain. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
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