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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Early Exits: Poor Sinner The Cincinnati Open has existed in a strange liminal space this week.
—
Chris Branch, New York Times, 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
August, while still active, is a liminal space and natural pause point.
—Essence, 31 July 2025
Bejar's smoky alto is our anchor, sounding like an omniscient ghost serenading us in a liminal space.
—Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for liminal
Chris Branch, New York Times, 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
August, while still active, is a liminal space and natural pause point.
—Essence, 31 July 2025
Bejar's smoky alto is our anchor, sounding like an omniscient ghost serenading us in a liminal space.
—Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for liminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liminal
Adjective
-
This planet is electric, unpredictable and genius with its approach, but its transits are anything but subtle.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Even subtle light or noise can disrupt sleep cycles, preventing you from reaching the deeper, most restorative stages of sleep necessary for physical and mental recovery.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Applebee’s recently managed its first quarter of same-store sales growth after eight consecutive declines, a faint improvement, but one that pales in comparison to the surge at Chili’s or the steady gains at Olive Garden.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
This leads to signals that are often faint, easily drowned out by background noise, and difficult to isolate in complex biological environments such as blood or tissue.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Usually, Meghan has posted photos of their children with their faces blurred out, or in poses where their face is unseen.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But of course, Arch Bug could care less about Henry’s unseen wife.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Barefoot driving is legal in all 50 states, with the one slight exception being Alabama where footwear is required on motorcycles.—
Georgea Kovanis,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Mail-in voting is now more popular among Democrats In the 2008 presidential election, there was only a slight difference in the popularity of mail-in voting by political party, according to a data analysis by Charles Stewart, director of the MIT Election Data and Science Lab.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Although this is a common diagnosis, its symptoms can be invisible and interfere with everyday activities like dining out and shopping.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
And in sport, where the thinnest of margins always matter, recognizing the invisible might be one of your most visible acts of leadership.—
Rick Burton,
Sportico.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Liminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liminal. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share