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

Giant fans at the air bases would blow the pale particles around, Jack said, putting him directly in the path of the chemical. — Nicole Borman, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Dwyer said 5-year-old Cora was pale when first responders arrived. — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Verb

The sales numbers at both stores paled in comparison to the gaudy numbers at local food and drink establishments. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

That paled in comparison to a 6-degree increase in temperate zones – that’s twice as high. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026

Noun

Thus, anger management classes and guidebooks have risen to this challenge and seek to aid people in managing anger that is beyond the pale. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

Her stomach bulged beneath her I ❤ FLORIDA boatneck and her face was round and waxy-pale. — Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026