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
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 2026
For a serene scene, choose pale and pastel flowers and display several together.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Zach Berman, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Its economy and military paled in comparison with the United States’s industrial might, blue-water navy, and network of overseas bases.
—Caleb Pomeroy, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 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
This assorted bunch of flowers includes roses, carnations, and large chrysanthemums in varying shades of bright and pale pink, peach, and white with green foliage accents.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 2026
For a serene scene, choose pale and pastel flowers and display several together.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
That context is why the intrigue about Brown’s status leading up to the trade deadline will pale compared to the speculation in the coming months.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Its economy and military paled in comparison with the United States’s industrial might, blue-water navy, and network of overseas bases.
—Caleb Pomeroy, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 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
-
In February 2025, Pradeep Kumar Sood was struck and killed while crossing in a faded crosswalk on Peachtree Street near AmericasMart downtown.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Manny Pacquiao’s attempt to extend his boxing career toward an Olympic appearance at 45 ran into age‑limit rules and concerns about the optics and health risks of watching a faded great take more punishment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Three weeks after that hit that sent a crowd of 75,261 at Empower Field into a pallid silence, Bryant is ever the same.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Young Rod went off to France by himself, and on a visit to Chartres, standing in the nave of the cathedral, he was overcome by a vague but powerful sense that God was real.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some scholars suspect that his race was deliberately kept vague and note that, at the time, even those from other European countries like Italy or Spain would have been discriminated against by Brits.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fierce sunlight bleaching the stones of the old city, blinding the passengers as porters in white kaffiyehs and djellabas stack their portmanteaus on donkey carts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The critiques were heard, Murphy told Newsom; Pidgeon, a brunette then wearing a wig, was ultimately forced to bleach.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Though not a comforter, this three-piece quilt set packs a similar cloud-like comfort thanks to its 100 percent cotton material that is light as a feather, wicks away moisture, and feels smooth to the touch.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The interior has lots of natural light and organic elements, like light wood finishes and ample greenery.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Hearing the faint sirens of the white police officers who have been monitoring the area for no real reason, Kid attempts to blend into the party by grabbing the mic of the bored DJ—played by Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton—to freestyle.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But Charli ends the album with a sense of faint dawn creeping in against the gloom.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once the blocks and spires of Palma faded into the distance, the 25-minute drive from the airport took me past crumbling homes, fields of curious farm animals, and not a soul in sight for miles at a time.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Singleton acknowledged that sustaining the coordinated, multi-agency model beyond the World Cup will be difficult once the spotlight fades.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While running, Castaneda fell and hit his head against a concrete wall.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Because a lot of the time, these walls can talk.—
Andrés Soto,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pale. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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