as in iridescent
having a rainbowlike play of colors
once given away as a cheap prize at carnivals, this opalescent glass is now highly prized by collectors
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Recent Examples of opalescent
As the world outside begins to resemble the full-moon mating frenzy of the opalescent squid, crack open Sylvia Townsend Warner’s 1948 novel about nuns eking out an existence in a 14th-century convent and one night of celibacy might not seem so bad.
—
Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
The aesthetic includes silver, opalescent, and holographic home accents, like the West Elm Pearl Iridescent Glass Votives.
—Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
To determine the impact of these conservation goals, scientists need a way to understand the true size of the opalescent squid population.
—Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
Straight out of science fiction films, opalescent eye shadows and cosmic silhouettes are set to be all the rage.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
The aesthetic includes silver, opalescent, and holographic home accents, like the West Elm Pearl Iridescent Glass Votives.
—Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
To determine the impact of these conservation goals, scientists need a way to understand the true size of the opalescent squid population.
—Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
Straight out of science fiction films, opalescent eye shadows and cosmic silhouettes are set to be all the rage.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opalescent
Adjective
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Also embedded in the skin are structures called iridophores, which strongly reflect blue-green light and hence are responsible for Hapalochlaena species’ bright iridescent blue rings or stripes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
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In a selfie video, Klum styled her signature long blonde hair in an effortless blowout with face-framing curtain bangs, showing off an iridescent high-octane blue and purple eyeshadow look.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Quahogs produce non-nacreous, porcelainlike pearls, according to the Gemological Institute of America.—
Shannon Marvel McNaught,
USA TODAY,
16 Aug. 2022
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Markov processes include an element of randomness—in this case, the thickness of the outermost nacreous layer—but one that can be influenced by the system’s history.—
Leila Sloman,
Popular Mechanics,
28 Feb. 2022
Adjective
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Her lab is pioneering colorful interactive models developed with an advanced MRI scan and other data from each patient.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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There’s no such thing as having too many journals, so a personalized journal, along with a colorful new pen or two, would be perfect for creative types.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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While Earth blocks some of the sun’s light, stray beams will pass around and through our atmosphere, turning the moon’s usually pearlescent surface red.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
2 Mar. 2026
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Tiny, pearlescent buttons add an elegant touch and can be worn in the front or the back to maximize outfit versatility.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opalescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opalescent. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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