1
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
we chose a very pale pink for the walls of the room
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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
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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
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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
Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Beyoncé makes Met Gala debut in 2008 Beyoncé made her Met Gala debut in 2008, arriving in a strapless, pale-pink Armani Privé gown.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
The team’s turnaround still pales in comparison to what Oklahoma City or San Antonio has done, emerging as title contenders with MVP-caliber players anchoring their lineups.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Elle Meier, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Later, Bella attended an Orebella brunch event in a silky, pale-as-pale lilac and cream Thierry Mugler blazer and skirt.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pale
Adjective
The other is aji amarillo, a creamier, milder, pale yellow sauce fragrant with oregano and garlic.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Beyoncé makes Met Gala debut in 2008 Beyoncé made her Met Gala debut in 2008, arriving in a strapless, pale-pink Armani Privé gown.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Being the offense’s engine is a completely different (and more challenging) assignment than being an off-ball threat, and while Knueppel might already be the best off-ball player in the league, the value of that role still pales behind that of a big, ballhandling wing.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
The team’s turnaround still pales in comparison to what Oklahoma City or San Antonio has done, emerging as title contenders with MVP-caliber players anchoring their lineups.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
Nicole Kidman arrived at the Oscars 2026 in a dreamy pale pink gown by Chanel.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Later, Bella attended an Orebella brunch event in a silky, pale-as-pale lilac and cream Thierry Mugler blazer and skirt.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pale
Adjective
-
Jenner opted to wear a pair of faded yellow jeans, a Guizio white tank top and a belly chain.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
For the second time in a week, the Dodgers made a minor-league acquisition of a faded pitching prospect with impressive velocity but poor control.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While disrupting the business of an American multinational company may seem a pallid response to the destruction of an Iranian primary school where more than a hundred children were killed, such asymmetric attacks in the physical and digital realms have been a feature of this conflict.—
Sue Halpern,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 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
-
Perhaps clever legal strategies might find ways to meet the justices’ new standards, or perhaps experts might come up with new metrics to mathematically prove discrimination, even when intent is vague.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
There’s a false perception in pop music that the best way to connect with the masses is to keep things broad — that vague generalizations are easier for people to latch onto.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
For instance, exposure to ultraviolet light caused most of the lighter and clear plastics to yellow and the darker ones to bleach.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
-
Fake plants and outdoor rugs tend to look worn and sun-bleached very quickly.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
That specimen, which was uncovered in Alaska, is 100 ounces lighter.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
-
Gallagher’s casting is part of a strategy Fox has employed on two of its dramas with a lighter, optimistic tone by bringing a big name each season as a new series regular with a one-year deal to keep viewers’ interest by adding a familiar face and fresh storylines.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
That's because the waning gibbous moon will appear in the sky at the same time, most likely outshining many of the fainter shooting stars.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
4 May 2026
-
That's because, as Gray explained, the impact will be too faint for observations.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The practice didn’t fade with the modern age; women across generations have kept it alive.—
Boutheina Ben Salem,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
-
After the rogue’s gallery is introduced early on, nearly everyone except for Tim, Elliot, and Rebecca fades into the background, although delightfully, Emma Thompson nails her brief comedic role as a brusque solicitor handling George’s last will and testament.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The Reds tied the game two batters later and then scored a pair of runs on a sacrifice fly to right field that brought Seiya Suzuki to the ground against the wall while catching it.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
About 64% of survey respondents oppose ending birthright citizenship, and a majority are against expanding the border wall.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pale. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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