as in iridescent
having a rainbowlike play of colors
once given away as a cheap prize at carnivals, this opalescent glass is now highly prized by collectors
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Recent Examples of opalescent
The pensive sophistication and opalescent style with which the film unparcels its ideas might not please arthouse crowds wanting broader emotional gestures, but Dulude-De Celles may be a festival-circuit major in the making.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
As the world outside begins to resemble the full-moon mating frenzy of the opalescent squid, crack open Sylvia Townsend Warner’s 1948 novel about nuns eking out an existence in a 14th-century convent and one night of celibacy might not seem so bad.
—Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
To determine the impact of these conservation goals, scientists need a way to understand the true size of the opalescent squid population.
—Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
Straight out of science fiction films, opalescent eye shadows and cosmic silhouettes are set to be all the rage.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
As the world outside begins to resemble the full-moon mating frenzy of the opalescent squid, crack open Sylvia Townsend Warner’s 1948 novel about nuns eking out an existence in a 14th-century convent and one night of celibacy might not seem so bad.
—Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
To determine the impact of these conservation goals, scientists need a way to understand the true size of the opalescent squid population.
—Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
Straight out of science fiction films, opalescent eye shadows and cosmic silhouettes are set to be all the rage.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opalescent
Adjective
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Males of the species are mostly emerald green with a blue-green throat and a long, iridescent purple and blue tail.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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Also embedded in the skin are structures called iridophores, which strongly reflect blue-green light and hence are responsible for Hapalochlaena species’ bright iridescent blue rings or stripes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Quahogs produce non-nacreous, porcelainlike pearls, according to the Gemological Institute of America.—
Shannon Marvel McNaught,
USA TODAY,
16 Aug. 2022
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Markov processes include an element of randomness—in this case, the thickness of the outermost nacreous layer—but one that can be influenced by the system’s history.—
Leila Sloman,
Popular Mechanics,
28 Feb. 2022
Adjective
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Turner, a colorful figure with a Southern drawl and rail-thin mustache, had pronounced views himself, often (though not exclusively) of a liberal bent.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
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Create a colorful and energetic ‘Bright Bunch’ bouquet using Suncredible® Yellow II Helianthus, Truffula™ Pink Gomphrena, and Sunstar® Lavender Pentas.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Other renditions of the granny mani happen to fit into the season’s top trending looks, like a semi-sheer pearlescent coat or a timeless ballet-slipper pink.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2026
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Tiny, pearlescent buttons add an elegant touch and can be worn in the front or the back to maximize outfit versatility.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opalescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opalescent. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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