PALES Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

pales 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pale

as in fades

to make white or whiter by removing color the sun eventually paled my bright blue shirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pales

2 of 2

noun

plural of pale

as in fences

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pales

Verb

While the prevalence of carfentanil still pales in comparison to fentanyl, experts are nevertheless alarmed by the increase of a substance researched for years as a chemical weapon and deployed by Russian forces on Chechen separatists in 2002. — ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026 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 His county’s population has grown by roughly by 32% since 1990, which pales in comparison with statewide growth of 74%. — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026 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 And for those who do manage to build a large emergency fund, the balance often pales in comparison to what a common medical procedure could cost, Volk said. — Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2025 Chicago only has 10 cranes in the sky, which pales in comparison to other major cities. — James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 Applebee’s recently managed its first quarter of same-store sales growth after eight consecutive declines, a faint improvement, but one that pales in comparison to the surge at Chili’s or the steady gains at Olive Garden. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pales

Verb

As new variants emerge and immunity from prior exposure fades, conditions become more favorable for infection.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Copley agrees with this sentiment, noting that the scent of essential oils fades quicker if a room is too cold, drafty, or large.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of fades

Noun

Refillable water stations were provided at each of the two stages and lined the fences between.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
In May, when fences went up on the fragile wetlands and bulldozers arrived on Sazan Island, residents of the nearby town of Zvërnec in the south of Albania protested, using one of the region’s beloved species as their symbol.

— Naomi Tomky, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of fences

Noun

Inside, antique art hangs on walls, tamgroute (local pottery) lines small alcoves, board games are stacked inside cupboards, and coffee table books have plenty to dive into.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026
Bold Wallpaper Bold florals, murals, and textured wallpaper were once stripped away in favor of neutral walls.

— Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of walls

Verb

Meanwhile, glycerin, betaine, sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, and beta-glucan flood the area with hydration, while niacinamide brightens the look of dullness and uneven tone.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Its dewy coverage gives cheeks a bright, doll-like, natural flush that highlights the cheekbones and brightens complexions.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of brightens

Noun

Easing in lets kids absorb the energy gradually, gives you time to find your seats, hit the bathroom and grab snacks or merch without missing the opening notes.

— Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026
Reaching out and sharing what’s going on lets in the light.

— R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 7 June 2026

Definition of lets

Noun

Structural inflation, fueled by government deficits, AI investments, low unemployment rates, growing trade barriers and energy disruptions, is reshaping the landscape for markets, according to Fidelity International.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
The legislation was included on the 2025 list of global trade barriers compiled annually by the Office of the US Trade Representative.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of barriers

Noun

The famous hedges were removed from Sanford Stadium for that occasion.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Platforms' latest offerings include perpetual futures contracts and hedges for certain risks, which experts said are ways for the platforms to appeal to Wall Street and identify as serious financial instruments.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026