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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 opalescent
Orlando sees their house from a distance below them, small as an opalescent shell.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
The pensive sophistication and opalescent style with which the film unparcels its ideas might not please arthouse crowds wanting broader emotional gestures, but Dulude-De Celles may be a festival-circuit major in the making.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
The pensive sophistication and opalescent style with which the film unparcels its ideas might not please arthouse crowds wanting broader emotional gestures, but Dulude-De Celles may be a festival-circuit major in the making.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opalescent
Adjective
-
Pigeons with iridescent purple necks strut about, and ducks continuously inquire, hoping for tidbits from passersby.—
Chi Varnado,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
Opt for Variation To lend depth and texture to your space, look for iridescent tile options that have artisanal detail and subtle variation, suggests Khahil.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Quahogs produce non-nacreous, porcelainlike pearls, according to the Gemological Institute of America.—
Shannon Marvel McNaught,
USA TODAY,
16 Aug. 2022
-
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
-
Despite the colorful comparisons, Williams and Tsien based the museum’s shape on a visual of four hands coming together, promoting the idea that many hands shape a place, according to the center.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
This simple recipe uses red and yellow heirloom tomatoes for a colorful contrast.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
To my right was a picture of a pearlescent orb floating on a blank field.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Crafted by her A-list artist Zola Ganzorigt, her rounded talons were dressed in a pearlescent baby pink polish and finished with rhinestone tips.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opalescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opalescent. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
