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
Early in the movie, failed architect and failing furniture-store owner Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor) discovers a portal into a seemingly endless, unpopulated liminal space filled with distorted reproductions of real-world rooms, objects, and even whole neighborhoods.
—
Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Hitting theaters Friday from A24, Backrooms stars Duplass alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell in the film about a therapist tracking down a missing patient in a bizarre dimension of liminal space.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
What begins as a skeptical pursuit of Richard’s double quickly devolves into an all-consuming obsession, unraveling Clare’s grip on reality and pulling her into a liminal nightmare where she is suspended between the living and the dead.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Airports themselves, liminal spaces that, normally, are pleasantly severed from the lurches of the world, spun out, too.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for liminal
Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Hitting theaters Friday from A24, Backrooms stars Duplass alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell in the film about a therapist tracking down a missing patient in a bizarre dimension of liminal space.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
What begins as a skeptical pursuit of Richard’s double quickly devolves into an all-consuming obsession, unraveling Clare’s grip on reality and pulling her into a liminal nightmare where she is suspended between the living and the dead.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Airports themselves, liminal spaces that, normally, are pleasantly severed from the lurches of the world, spun out, too.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for liminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liminal
Adjective
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The perpetual buzz of mining bees mingled with the shuffle of rabbits through the bushes, woodpeckers’ rapid-fire drilling, and the hard-staccato tchack, tchack, tchack of ravenlike birds known as jackdaws, creating a subtle symphony.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Look for alcohol-free, subtle formulas the goal is a whisper of fragrance, not a perfume cloud that announces itself from across the room.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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However, some observers have reported hearing faint crackling or hissing noises during intense displays.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
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June's new moon is finally upon us, bringing with it a handful of precious dark nights in which to explore the wonders of the starry sky, before the familiar sight of the waxing lunar crescent returns to hide fainter targets from view.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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Randy’s name was revealed during JoAnne’s (Sarah Goldberg) conversation with an unseen agent in the closing moments of the finale.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
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The episode ends with the sight of an unconscious Lance in the trunk of a car, abducted by some unseen assailant.—
Rachel LaBonte,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The day before the fires ignited, the National Weather Service warned of extreme Valley heat, dry fuels, and a slight chance of thunderstorms.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
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The fight to fill Miami’s mayor office comes to a head on Tuesday evening during a special runoff election as Democrat Eileen Higgins and Republican Emilio González are locked in a tight race, with the Democrat holding a slight lead in early voting.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Beneath the surface, the invisible becomes visible as streams of bubbles rise toward the light.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Dec. 2025
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We’re expected to manage our own emotional upheaval while also producing holiday magic for everyone else—coordinating meals, gifts, photos, traditions, social calendars, and the invisible labor of ensuring no one’s discomfort disrupts the festive spirit.—
Rebecca Soffer,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Liminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liminal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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