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
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
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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
Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Abott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson, who arrived in a pale peach power suit, reminded us that style doesn’t clock out after school hours.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 5 Jan. 2026
John Tufts, IndyStar, 24 Nov. 2025
And the scale of this pullback still pales next to its 75% collapse during the 2021–2022 bear market.
—Emily Nicolle, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
Father was turning green-pale now, as a shadow moved across his face and beads of pearl sweat bubbled on his face.
—Literary Hub, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pale
Adjective
The beautiful smell of Marriott’s signature scent is both inspiring and mysterious, blended with top notes of cassis, sparkling Fuji apple, grapefruit, cyclamen, paired with the subtle notes of pink jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, mountain sage, white cedar, and pale musk.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Abott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson, who arrived in a pale peach power suit, reminded us that style doesn’t clock out after school hours.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
The New York school principal had gotten every question right, but his buzzer game Monday paled in comparison to Whitaker's 36.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 24 Nov. 2025
And the scale of this pullback still pales next to its 75% collapse during the 2021–2022 bear market.
—Emily Nicolle, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
Noun
The earth stretched flat in every direction, almost to the horizon—a pale, cracked crust, vaguely lunar.
—AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
Father was turning green-pale now, as a shadow moved across his face and beads of pearl sweat bubbled on his face.
—Literary Hub, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pale
Adjective
-
Characterized by their faded or worn-out effect, as if their original color had been lightened by washing, these beloved jeans stand out for their vintage and carefree air.—
Mayte Salido,
Glamour,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The styling trick works even with an outfit that leans as grunge as this, with ballooning black cargo pants, a muted flannel, and a faded black tee.—
Alyssa Rotunno,
InStyle,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
In other words, our complexion is looking pallid, our skin is dry, and our overall appearance is just a little blah at the moment.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
2 Jan. 2026
-
And try to summon, from our pallid, hazy situation, vistas of the sort that draw so sweet and pure a gaze.—
David Searcy,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The championship standard isn’t volleyed about in vague terms.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Washington’s presence there, however, gave the delegates confidence to endow the presidency with vague and expansive powers.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For the promo tour, Brown had borrowed clothes from Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton and bleached her blonde hair as an ode to the film's '90s theming.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
To honor the occasion, Reese bleached her hair and chopped it to her collarbone.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Tips for Making Cherry Cookies Decker’s recipe doesn’t call for softened butter, but allowing the butter to soften before beating it with the sugar (a process known as creaming) will lead to a lighter, fluffier texture.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
At this point reduce watering to 2 to 3 times per week, apply light applications of fertilizer during the growing season, prune plants lightly in fall to winter, and add fresh mulch in fall.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The program’s pulse felt faint, its identity slipping further with each loss.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The short uses stylized 3D and deadpan timing to explore routine, irritation and faint absurdity.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For one night, under cold rain and flickering red lights, the noise faded.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Once summer flowers fade and growth stops, start cleaning up the garden.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Victoria Byrd said the blaze was challenging to reach because of heavy foliage and a privacy wall leaving firefighters with only one entry point.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pale. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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