as in pale
lacking intensity of color
a pastel blue to go with the pale pink walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in watercolor
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pastel
Marci Robin,
Allure,
22 June 2026
There are faint smudges of pastel crayon on the wall and carved profanities with paint chips revealing the previous cerulean walls.
—
Ashley Andreou,
STAT,
22 June 2026
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2026
The trio wanted to speak to children directly, and using oil pastel was part of their approach.
—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pastel
Adjective
Nail artist Michelle Humphrey shared a close-up of the awesome nail design, featuring the palest possible pastel periwinkle base in a soft-focus jelly finish.
—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
22 June 2026
There are faint smudges of pastel crayon on the wall and carved profanities with paint chips revealing the previous cerulean walls.
—
Ashley Andreou,
STAT,
22 June 2026
Noun
Falling somewhere between a fresh pastel and a polished neutral, the hue brings a sense of lightness without sacrificing sophistication.
—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2026
The trio wanted to speak to children directly, and using oil pastel was part of their approach.
—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pastel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pastel
Adjective
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That’s also when a Seattle gastroenterologist named Walter Voegtlin published a pale volume with a drawing of a loincloth-wearing hominid on the cover.
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Bartlett’s character is like a rock slab, a vestige of an ancient religion, brought to life in overlapping strips of muslin, linen, and leather in shades of dove, cream, gray, and pale blue, with his hood pulled tight around his face and his hands wrapped in mittens.
Noun
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In the summers since, aura nails have softened, turning into watercolor-like gradients that float across understated nude bases.
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This maxi shirt dress in a watercolor gingham is an eye-catching twist on a classic Americana staple.
Adjective
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Directed by Son Jae-gon and starring Gang Dong-won, Uhm Tae-goo, and Park Ji-hyun, the film tracks a faded first-generation K-pop co-ed dance trio making a reckless attempt to stage a comeback two decades after a plagiarism scandal dissolved their careers.
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The one difference was a new layer of red bricks over the faded previous layer.
Noun
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The winning numbers for the Wednesday, June 24, Powerball drawing are 13, 14, 16, 21, 38, and the Powerball is 14.
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The quirky chain has not officially announced the location, but a Formal Site Development Plan submitted to the city late last year included drawings identifying Trader Joe’s as the occupant.
Adjective
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The traditional architecture is intact with thick walls, desert light, wood beams, stone fireplaces, and classic New Mexican tile floors.
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For a lighter version of the salad, use 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt in place of 1/2 cup of mayonnaise.
Noun
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The first iteration of the lottery was won by Jeffrey Gonano, a 25-year-old man from a suburb of Pittsburgh, who won a L’Homme au Gibus (1914), also a gouache on paper.
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Ari Hodara, a 59-year-old software engineer from Paris, won Tête de femme (1941), or head of a woman, a gouache-on-paper portrait, according to Reuters.
Noun
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This will be followed by a final period in Florence to learn the technique and historical evolution of egg tempera, to acquire ancient handweaving skills and expand her knowledge of its applications in the ecclesiastic context.
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Use a paintbrush or your finger to cover the egg with tempera paint.
Noun
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Kartell’s acrylic Shelfish shelves look great as standalone fixtures or play well with a whole stack lining your bathroom wall.
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Crosby used acrylic paint, colored pencils, charcoal, and transfers on paper to create the massive 9-by-10 piece.
Cite this Entry
“Pastel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pastel. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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