as in subtle
barely perceptible by a sense or by the mind
They studied how the subjects were affected by different sounds played at liminal intensity.
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Recent Examples of liminal
As long as readers continue to crave that liminal space between dreams and reality, Labyrinth and its imaginative literary descendants will endure.
—
Logan Karlie
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
Through the nineteen-seventies, as Reich and Philip Glass were causing a ruckus in the classical-music establishment, Riley became a liminal figure.
—William Robin, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
August is fashion’s liminal space — think summer’s ease meets fall’s anticipation.
—Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
In this liminal space between reality and the afterlife, Frida bargains with la Catrina, an alluring female embodiment of death popular in Mexican culture.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liminal
Logan Karlie
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
Through the nineteen-seventies, as Reich and Philip Glass were causing a ruckus in the classical-music establishment, Riley became a liminal figure.
—William Robin, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
August is fashion’s liminal space — think summer’s ease meets fall’s anticipation.
—Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
In this liminal space between reality and the afterlife, Frida bargains with la Catrina, an alluring female embodiment of death popular in Mexican culture.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liminal
Adjective
-
In a subtler interpretation of the trend, the Jazz bookshelf is handcrafted in oak that takes on a golden hue when hit with the right light.—
Rachel Gallaher,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Cohen and other researchers have identified many subtle fixes that improve kids’ eating habits.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Amid the hangover of the 0-4 start, students shuffled out their dorms, lured by free food and faint promise of school spirit at the Rose Bowl.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Visitors report hearing faint voices and screams when inside the room.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Winding its way through tax tribunals and the county treasurer's office all the way to the Michigan Court of Appeals through a trail of unseen revocation notices, jurisdictional conflicts and behind-the-scenes bureaucratic handwringing, that eventually got worked out.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Unless Nikishin really impresses in that regard or Miller finds a previously unseen level, the Hurricanes don’t have that.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
They are made of cotton with a slight stretch, but still have structure in the front.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
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Herro was an All-Star last year while Ball wasn’t; Herro’s injury gives the Hornets a slight edge in these rankings.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Jiang and his colleagues complain over video chat about their bland meals, but the people who produce, prepare and deliver the food remain invisible.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
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And yet, the rings were still all but invisible because while the south side of the rings was tipped toward us, the sun was illuminating the north side.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Liminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liminal. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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