as in pallid
having an unhealthy yellowish skin color
He looked tired and sallow. She has a sallow complexion.
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Recent Examples of sallow
During a visit in August with two Times reporters, Mr. Perez’s skin was sallow.
—
Aimee Ortiz, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2023
An awkward, sallow, provincial, minor army officer, Napoleon, was irresistibly drawn to Joséphine, attracted by her proximity to the most powerful men in France.
—Anne Higonnet, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023
The eyes are sallow, the shoulders slumped, and the proud corona of hair is gone, instead a thin outline of flat, dark hair covers his head.
—Bob Guccione Jr, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2023
According to Wednesday's world, a sallow complexion with carved cheekbones is definitely in.
—Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 30 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for sallow
Aimee Ortiz, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2023
An awkward, sallow, provincial, minor army officer, Napoleon, was irresistibly drawn to Joséphine, attracted by her proximity to the most powerful men in France.
—Anne Higonnet, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023
The eyes are sallow, the shoulders slumped, and the proud corona of hair is gone, instead a thin outline of flat, dark hair covers his head.
—Bob Guccione Jr, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2023
According to Wednesday's world, a sallow complexion with carved cheekbones is definitely in.
—Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 30 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for sallow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sallow
Adjective
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In other words, our complexion is looking pallid, our skin is dry, and our overall appearance is just a little blah at the moment.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
2 Jan. 2026
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And try to summon, from our pallid, hazy situation, vistas of the sort that draw so sweet and pure a gaze.—
David Searcy,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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This leaves a sicker risk pool behind and drives premiums even higher for those who remain.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
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Humans who have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are the most at risk of becoming infected.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Egg yolks can range in color from pale yellow to deep orange.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
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Think pale hues with a sober gray tint or tranquil neutrals.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Instead, the moss’s telltale sign of woe is its glum, grayish hue, a waxen appearance that comes from ferns and algae that have crept over it.—
Sabrina Imbler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Dec. 2020
Adjective
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Taken on its own, however, Boyle and Garland’s trip back to this hellscape makes the most of casting a jaundiced, bloodshot eye at our current moment.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2025
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But a more jaundiced government, like the one currently led by Trump, might be tempted to penalize India for this behavior.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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The 89-minute running time doesn’t allow much exposition, and in fact the opening sequence shows a veterinarian coming to treat a sickly Ben before having his face viciously torn off.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
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This usually occurs when a dead limb or a sickly tree falls.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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People often make the mistake of going with a bright white paint color to balance out a room’s cool feel and muted light, but opting for a warm neutral is more effective for creating an inviting space.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
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Snag it in black, white, green, blue, or maple or walnut wood stains in sizes ranging from 4 by 4 inches to 8 by 10 inches.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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When sprayed on broadleaf evergreens, the anti-desiccant forms a clear, waxy protective coating that reduces water loss.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
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The tiny nymphs leave waxy, white excretions on the leaves.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sallow. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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