Synonyms of stain

stain 1 of 2

verb

ˈstān 

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

• taint
• mar
• poison
• spoil
• darken
• touch
• tarnish
• blemish
• smear
• soil
• degrade
• smudge
• blacken
• dirty
• vitiate
• discredit
• discolor
• distort
• corrupt
• tar
• blur
• disgrace
• pollute
• besmirch
• shame
• sully
• cloud
• dishonor
• smirch
• besmear
• smut
• color
• sink
• pervert
• abase
• lower
• debase
• demean
• foul
• subvert
• deprave
• cheapen
• debauch
• twist
• demoralize
• begrime
• bastardize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleanse
• purify
• elevate
• glorify
• magnify
• uplift
• dignify
• ennoble
• enshrine
• hallow

2

as in to paint

to give color or a different color to

stained the table to look like cherry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paint
• color
• dye
• tint
• pigment
• brighten
• tincture
• tinge
• darken
• stripe
• bepaint
• lighten
• fleck
• marble
• tone (down)
• streak
• pattern
• speck
• speckle
• mottle
• striate
• polychrome
• daub
• checker
• dapple
• variegate
• embrown

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bleach
• decolorize
• whiten
• blanch

3

as in to dirty

to make dirty

oil stained his work pants

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dirty
• blacken
• smudge
• soil
• mess
• muck
• smirch
• besmirch
• grime
• muddy
• sully
• daub
• mire
• befoul
• distain
• taint
• foul
• contaminate
• discolor
• gaum
• bemire
• pollute
• begrime
• defile
• disarray
• disorder
• disarrange
• muddle
• dishevel
• jumble
• crock
• draggle
• confuse
• colly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• cleanse
• purify
• wipe
• purge
• wash
• decontaminate
• brush
• disinfect
• sweep
• scrub
• dust
• rinse
• mop
• sanitize
• renew
• launder
• scour
• brighten
• freshen
• spruce (up)
• straighten (up)
• dry-clean
• deodorize
• tidy (up)

stain

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blot
• taint
• stigma
• smudge
• guilt
• shame
• disgrace
• brand
• slur
• smirch
• spot
• sin
• onus
• ignominy
• infamy
• odium
• dishonor
• discredit
• reproach
• corruption
• disrepute
• obloquy
• black eye
• opprobrium
• immorality
• iniquity
• vice
• licentiousness
• depravity
• disesteem
• debauchery
• unscrupulousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• credit
• purity
• award
• honor
• right
• modesty
• chastity
• good
• integrity
• legitimacy
• stainlessness
• rectitude
• honesty
• goodness
• chasteness
• righteousness
• uprightness
• probity
• glory
• fame
• repute
• scrupulousness
• renown
• virtuousness

2

as in pigment

a substance used to color other materials

applied several coats of stain to the wood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pigment
• dye
• coloring
• color
• colorant
• hue
• dyestuff
• tint
• tinge
• toner
• shade
• cast

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stain

Verb

The prosecutor then showed the jury Daniela’s shirt, which the detective said was stained by brown decomposition fluid, and Julia’s clothing, including her underwear soaked in blood. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Dozens of arrests have been made but so far no one has been convicted in an affair that traumatized Mexico and stained the country's reputation. — CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

Brands must also account for products with defects such as stains, mold and incorrect labels—issues that need to be remediated or repaired before the product reaches the consumer. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Police found apparent blood stains in several areas of Machado's car, which investigators said Sierra used to drive the victims from the mall to the home. — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026