palled; palling; palls
1
: to lose strength or effectiveness
2
: to lose in interest or attraction
his humor began to pall on us
He found that his retirement hobbies began to pall after a couple of years.
3
: dwindle
our enthusiasm soon palled
1
: to cause to become insipid
reason and reflection … pall all his enjoyments—
Francis Atterbury
Francis Atterbury2
: to deprive of pleasure in something by satiating
The choicest delicacies pall the stomach in time.
1
2
a
: a square of linen usually stiffened with cardboard that is used to cover the chalice
b(1)
: a heavy cloth draped over a coffin
(2)
: a coffin especially when holding a body
3
a
: something that covers or conceals
especially
: an overspreading element that produces an effect of gloom
a pall of thick black smoke
a pall of suspicion
b
: a feeling of gloom
his absence cast a pall over the celebration
Examples of pall in a Sentence
Verb (1)
viewers' interest in the reality show eventually palled
Noun
bearing her husband's pall were her four brothers and two nephews
a persistent pall of distrust has overtaken this administration and will remain until the president resigns
Recent Examples on the Web
Rory Smith, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023
But after a time, the combination of abrasive, impenetrably shellacked characters and deliberately, hopelessly tangled shaggy-dog storytelling begins to pall, and viewers may wish for a simpler way in.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2022
Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The result is not just uncertainty for viewers, TV executives and show staffs, but a pall over an advertising category that's long been a staple of live TV.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pall
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Verb
But three weeks into their stay — Spain arrived in New Zealand well in advance of its first game, hoping to draw the sting from the jet lag — the place had started to pall.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023
But after a time, the combination of abrasive, impenetrably shellacked characters and deliberately, hopelessly tangled shaggy-dog storytelling begins to pall, and viewers may wish for a simpler way in.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2022
Noun
The shootings cast a pall on what is normally a jubilant season in the Mississippi countryside, as stifling heat gives way to cooler autumn days and former residents return to reconnect with the community of their youth.
—Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The result is not just uncertainty for viewers, TV executives and show staffs, but a pall over an advertising category that's long been a staple of live TV.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pall
Cite this Entry
“Pall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pall. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pall
1 of 2 noun1
: a heavy cloth covering for a coffin, hearse, or tomb
2
: a chalice cover made of a square piece of stiffened linen
3
a
: something that covers, darkens, or produces a gloomy effect
a pall of black smoke
b
: a feeling of gloom
his bad mood cast a pall over the celebration
pall
2 of 2 verb
: to become dull or uninteresting : lose the ability to give pleasure
the excitement of the party quickly began to pall
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