liminal

adjective

Definition of liminalnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of liminal The series of videos was inspired by a meme created on 4chan in 2019, which has seen internet users uploading images of eerie, liminal spaces. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026 Weddings are like airports–liminal spaces that exist out of time and definable space. — Bobby Finger june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 There are likely more of us than ever before stuck in this liminal state, trying to figure out when to stop IVF. — Heather Grossmann, Parents, 16 June 2026 This analysis connects the obsession with liminal spaces to many of Gen Zers’ experience coming of age during Covid-19. — Zoya Hasan, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for liminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liminal
  1. subtle
  2. faint
  3. unseen
  4. slight
  5. invisible
Adjective
  • Her lyrics, like those of many of her biggest musical influences, are dense texts, full of winking allusions and subtle references to records, bands, and albums that have shaped her own songwriting.
    — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Izquierdo recommends asking for softly disconnected layers, a blended curtain fringe, and soft, subtle texture.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Led by researchers at the University of Cambridge, the mission aims to detect the faint 21-centimeter radio line emitted by early hydrogen atoms operating at low frequencies (10–50 MHz), a signal never before directly observed.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
  • During search operations, hundreds of onlookers and volunteers must be kept quiet enough in the middle of a bustling city to listen for the faintest sign of life.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • Such attention and admiration will only elevate to new, unseen levels following a night when Madjo broke out into the wider footballing public.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • By tracing that history, researchers can then learn how the galaxy’s mass is distributed, including the unseen dark matter that shapes its gravitational field.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of unseen
Adjective
  • Nashville was a slight favorite at kickoff, but Miami fielded a stellar starting lineup that included Sergio Reguilón, Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez and Messi.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • At the slightest security alert, every point along the route can be brought to a standstill.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of slight
Adjective
  • In response, some AI firms like Claude-maker Anthropic have recently added invisible 'watermarks' into their products, giving people a reliable way to spot their products' outputs for the first time.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Buñuelian skeptic in me also shirks at Fried’s approving references to Diderot’s petite église invisible, the small hidden church whose members—painters, critics, curators, patrons—are the vision-gifted serious pursuers of art history.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of invisible

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limeys
liminal
limit
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Cite this Entry

“Liminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liminal. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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