Synonyms of pale

pale 1 of 3

adjective

ˈpāl 

1

as in faded

lacking intensity of color

we chose a very pale pink for the walls of the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

• faded
• light
• dulled
• dull
• faint
• pastel
• white
• washy
• washed-out
• neutral
• gray
• dim
• lusterless
• bleached
• lackluster
• matte
• muddy
• dirty
• colorless
• washed
• blanched
• achromatic
• indistinct
• flat
• unpainted
• unstained
• uncolored
• whitened
• undyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dark
• rich
• deep
• bright
• vivid
• gay
• brilliant
• colored
• vibrant
• stained
• painted
• tinted
• tinged
• chromatic
• colorful
• dyed
• rainbow
• variegated
• prismatic
• loud
• multicolored
• gaudy
• garish
• showy
• flashy
• varicolored
• polychromatic
• polychrome
• motley
• splashy

2

as in pallid

lacking a healthy skin color

after a week with the flu, she was deathly pale and noticeably thinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pallid
• paled
• ashen
• pasty
• ashy
• blanched
• wan
• doughy
• cadaverous
• sick
• livid
• mealy
• white
• lurid
• sallow
• peaked
• sickly
• waxen
• waxy
• anemic
• whitened
• untanned
• bloodless
• sallowish
• white-faced
• whey-faced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• red
• ruddy
• rosy
• sanguine
• florid
• glowing
• blooming
• flush
• pink
• rubicund
• blushing
• full-blooded
• flushed

3

as in vague

not seen or understood clearly

a pale outline off in the distance proved to be someone out for a walk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vague
• faint
• hazy
• dark
• fuzzy
• indistinct
• blurry
• opaque
• shadowy
• dim
• misty
• murky
• obscure
• nebulous
• indistinguishable
• undefined
• foggy
• unclear
• indefinite
• bleary
• dusky
• blear
• undetermined
• gauzy
• gloomy
• invisible
• intangible
• mysterious
• inexplicable
• incomprehensible
• inappreciable
• impalpable
• puzzling
• indiscernible
• indecipherable
• hieroglyphic
• obfuscatory

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clear
• definite
• obvious
• plain
• bright
• evident
• distinct
• pellucid
• certain
• strong
• sure
• firm

pale

2 of 3

verb

as in to bleach

to make white or whiter by removing color

the sun eventually paled my bright blue shirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bleach
• fade
• dull
• brighten
• snow
• whiten
• blanch
• dim
• decolorize
• blench
• wash out
• lighten
• silver
• frost
• mat
• whitewash
• etiolate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deepen
• darken
• marble
• shade
• pattern
• streak
• blacken
• striate
• blotch
• speck
• pigment
• tarnish
• discolor
• spot
• stripe
• speckle
• polychrome
• embrown
• paint
• tint
• color
• tinge
• daub
• stain
• dye
• dapple
• shine
• fleck
• mottle
• splotch
• polish
• tincture
• variegate
• burnish
• checker

pale

3 of 3

noun

as in paling

Related Words

• paling
• wall
• barrier
• fence
• hedge
• let
• interference
• embarrassment
• barricade
• hindrance
• obstruction
• deterrent
• impediment
• obstacle
• encumbrance
• stumbling block
• hurdle
• inhibition
• bar
• handicap
• trammel
• clog
• chain
• roadblock
• stop
• block
• crimp
• curb
• fetter
• hobble
• shackle(s)
• restraint
• snag
• drag
• rampart
• cushion
• dam
• manacle
• constraint
• fender
• bumper
• bulwark
• buffer
• pad

Dissimilar Words

• door
• entrance
• doorway
• entry
• gate
• portal
• entranceway
• entryway
• pass
• gap
• break

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pale

Adjective

Bieber wore a pale-gold, deep-V maxidress and her signature Rhode lip gloss. — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

In addition to this trendy cherry red, there are more colors to peruse including classic black, soft pale blue, approachable gray, and more. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

The financial challenge, however formidable, may pale beside the psychological one. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

Obviously, paled in comparison to some of the other people singing that night. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

Noun

And the idea that publicly supporting Obama is acceptable while publicly supporting Trump is somehow beyond the pale speaks to the double standard that critics like Clark continue to apply. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2026

Some things do seem beyond the pale to this group. — Justin Worland, Time, 28 May 2026