mealy

adjective

ˈmē-lē How to pronounce mealy (audio)
Definition of mealynext
1
as in pallid
lacking a healthy skin color her mealy complexion might be OK if she were a mime, but she isn't

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express a mealy apology that was really no apology at all

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 mealy Unless, of course, one apple is giant, glossy, improbably red, but also covered in pesticides, while the other is smaller, organic, perhaps a bit mealy in parts, but better for you in the ways that matter most. — Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026 This occurred one week before West and Amanda publicly announced their situationship on Instagram in a mealy-mouthed statement that sounded like it was written by ChatGPT. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 3 June 2026 Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture is mealy and small pieces of pea-size butter remain. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026 Players and coaches have become maddeningly mealy-mouthed, striving to avoid upsetting agents, sponsors, owners, fans, thin-skinned politicians, and whoever else might object. — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mealy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mealy
  1. pallid
  2. fake
  3. pale
  4. double
  5. lip
  6. hollow
  7. strained
  8. meaningless
Adjective
  • The pallid grayness of Mike Eley’s cinematography is probably supposed to mimic the finality of HIV/AIDS taking hold, but there’s no passion aesthetically to counterbalance what becomes absolute misery onscreen to watch.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Young people in particular have soured on the technology over the last year, a development that may at least partially be explained by a pallid entry-level job market.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of pallid
Adjective
  • In episode 4, Noah made up an elaborate ruse involving a fake friend’s wedding in Napa — a means of getting Joanne to wine country for a romantic weekend.
    — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The two fans came with their own props even though fake mustaches were given to fans at the entry gates.
    — Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • Its exterior styling is modern and Scandinavian-like, with a steel base, pale thermally treated timber, and a metal roof.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Social media posts claim that the signs of iron deficiency, including a pale complexion, hair loss and dry skin are identifiable as ferritin face.
    — Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pale
Adjective
  • The double-slit experiment, for example, is a classic setup where scientists send particles through two gaps in a screen and observe a resulting interference pattern, proving that the particles act as waves.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Saturday night, the Hurricanes outlasted Florida State, 43-35, the double overtime game adding another epic episode to the rivalry.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of double
Adjective
  • Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.
    — Essence, Essence, 23 Nov. 2025
Definition of lip
Adjective
  • Researchers constructed a hollow fiber membrane lined on the outside with palladium nanoparticles rather than attacking PFAS in open water.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The squash should sound hollow when tapped, similar to a watermelon.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of hollow
Adjective
  • Rice could return in the coming week after suffering a strained hamstring.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
  • As an 'artificial friend' purchased for an ailing teen, Jenna Ortega tries hard to illuminate this misbegotten Kazuo Ishiguro adaptation, but Waititi's decision to play it for strained, whimsical comedy is ruinous.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of strained
Adjective
  • Over the next two games, defenses stopped Baugh in his tracks, limiting him to just 72 yards on 27 carries and a meaningless TD late in a 38-19 loss to South Carolina.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The point is that in this new format, games that take place in September, or even early October, will feel more meaningless than ever.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of meaningless

Browse Nearby Words

meals
mealy
mealymouthed
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Cite this Entry

“Mealy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mealy. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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