1
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
we chose a very pale pink for the walls of the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to bleach
to make white or whiter by removing color
the sun eventually paled my bright blue shirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in paling
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pale
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Early salt damage often appears as pale, chalky blotches or uneven fading in the paint finish.
—Jenna Prestininzi, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Torok’s photos were part of the administration’s effort to shape public opinion – though many commentators pointed out that those efforts have paled in comparison to past American war efforts.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Not knowing Elphaba is allergic to water, Dorothy empties a pale of water on her to put out the fire, accidentally melting her.
—Time, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pale
Adjective
The challenges the company faces today pale in comparison to the COVID-19 pandemic, but once again international affairs are finding a way to impact Disney’s planning.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Early salt damage often appears as pale, chalky blotches or uneven fading in the paint finish.
—Jenna Prestininzi, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
The stakes paled in comparison to the 2024 NBA Finals, but Friday’s primetime showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics carried a heightened sense of emotion for both teams.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Torok’s photos were part of the administration’s effort to shape public opinion – though many commentators pointed out that those efforts have paled in comparison to past American war efforts.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
At the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Chase Infiniti stepped out in a satin pale pink gown with a cowl neckline.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Not knowing Elphaba is allergic to water, Dorothy empties a pale of water on her to put out the fire, accidentally melting her.
—Time, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pale
Adjective
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Actress Letitia Wright attended a Prada event in a faded denim and leather jacket.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
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That fall, an old friend reached out to my father through the underground communications network, dialling a number printed on a faded piece of plastic Dymo tape and speaking to him from a public phone booth.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His practical advice fares better than both his theories and his pallid attempts at profundity.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Out of the bloodstains shone a pair of bright blue eyes, and a heart was beating under the pallid skin that looked several sizes too big.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The attack came hours after Saree signaled in a vague statement Friday that the rebels would join the war.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
These designations are, first and foremost, vague.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Unicharm could already turn these materials into other hygienic products like toilet paper, but a new ozone treatment designed to bleach, sterilize, and deodorize the pulp is widening the possibilities even further.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The feat, coupled with her easygoing personality and signature bleached halo hair, launched her to global fame.—
Zara Irshad,
San Francisco Chronicle,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Two vapes, a lighter and an ashtray sat on a counter.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
For something lighter there’s Par Ici—a lush, greenhouse-style cafe with a vegetarian focus.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Like Colleen, Giurgis’ adaptation is allergic to the faintest traces of sincerity or urgency.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Winnipeg Jets came to Ball Arena and kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a 4-2 victory against the league-leading Avalanche.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Scout seems insightful, based on its response to a question posed by The Associated Press about why one of Silicon Valley's brightest stars faded away a decade ago.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
This year's Oscars may be in the rearview mirror, but for one Detroit designer, the spotlight hasn't faded.—
Lauren Winfrey,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Baldwin nearly had a homer in the seventh, but Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke leaped above the wall to make a dazzling catch.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
What Meyerson got in the first ALF where DCF deposited her was a bedraggled patio, plastic furniture, holes in the walls.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pale. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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