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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of opalescent
Mike Navarro, an oceanographer at the University of Alaska Southeast, studied opalescent squids during his PhD at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
—
Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
The majestic stillness of the full beaver moon, hovering pink and opalescent in the horizon.
—Jennifer Hope Choi, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
The Ellipse required 90 cm of gold wire shaped by hand and 20 shades of opaque and opalescent enamel, while the table clock used over 16 m of gold wire in three different widths and 45 shades of mainly translucent enamel mixed with some semi-translucent or opaque versions of the material.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2025
Nor could anyone ever be a better pal to Leslie than Ann, opalescent tree shark.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
The majestic stillness of the full beaver moon, hovering pink and opalescent in the horizon.
—Jennifer Hope Choi, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
The Ellipse required 90 cm of gold wire shaped by hand and 20 shades of opaque and opalescent enamel, while the table clock used over 16 m of gold wire in three different widths and 45 shades of mainly translucent enamel mixed with some semi-translucent or opaque versions of the material.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2025
Nor could anyone ever be a better pal to Leslie than Ann, opalescent tree shark.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opalescent
Adjective
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The expedition also revealed a new species of armoured and iridescent scale worms, called Eulagisca sp.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
30 Oct. 2025
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Gomez's mani is soft, elegant, and very late '90s-coded with its iridescent shine.—
Ana Serrano,
Glamour,
30 Oct. 2025
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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Duran opened a colorful and fun new space in Elizabeth, accented with custom art.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Nov. 2025
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There are ski helmets and Stetsons, colorful Gortex bibs and brown cowhide chaps, floor-length fur coats and hip-length puffer jackets — and of course, ski boots and cowboy boots.—
Cari Shane,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Earlier this month, a traffic stop led Florida police to discover brightly colored candy reminiscent of pearlescent gumballs that field tested for fentanyl, according to the West Palm Beach Police Department.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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It can even be combined with matte or pearlescent polishes to achieve dimensional contrasts.—
Laura Solla,
Glamour,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opalescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opalescent. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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