pastel 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of pastelnext
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

pastel

2 of 2

noun

as in watercolor

Related 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 pastel
Adjective
Hilaria, 42, wore a semi-sheer strapless pastel gown with a plunging neckline, while Carmen donned a strapless champagne dress. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026 Sit indoors among the sleek black and white marble interiors or, weather permitting, head outside to the garden nestled into the courtyard outfitted with pastel armchairs and sofas among the climbing ivy and leafy potted plants. — Jaclyn Degiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
Isla Fisher shines in pastel pink at the Serpentine Summer Party on June 23 in London. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 While the pastel was trending earlier this year, it’s officially been overtaken by its more summery sister. — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pastel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pastel
  1. pale
  2. watercolor
  3. faded
  4. drawing
  5. light
  6. gouache
  7. tempera
  8. acrylic
Adjective
  • Madison’s Dior shoes went with a custom strapless Dior dress in shining shades of silver and pale gray.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • After a consultation with Marchetto, Garnett settled on adding a spattering of dark brown leather floral motifs, to complement the navy and pale blue check.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of pale
Noun
  • At the Palazzo Reale, an entire wall is punctuated by Picabia’s loose pencil and watercolor studies of the severe faces of Sevillian women, dark tresses piled high under lace mantillas.
    — Nicole Kaack, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In today’s commercial age of plenty, the most important task of the dust jacket is to match a book to your mood, from the pastoral watercolor tones of the travel narrative or cosy domestic romance, to the dark hues of the murder mystery.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of watercolor
Adjective
  • The offering will be promoted online with shots featuring Klein, both on her own and with Melillo, as well as a video where the longtime friends reminisce barefoot in faded jeans and, of course, white T-shirts.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Investigators described him as a white male in his late 50s, with a scruffy, gray beard who was wearing a faded blue baseball cap.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of faded
Noun
  • Because everything in the game started as a drawing, the process beyond that was about our 3D artist trying to remain true to it.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Nobody hit Powerball big six of 2, 4, 18, 50 and 56 with a Powerball of 20, so Monday’s drawing will have a top prize of $793 million.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of drawing
Adjective
  • To prevent the seed heads from reseeding, do a preliminary light prune by trimming off the tops in fall, then cut the clumps back fully in spring.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The 100 percent polyester fabric is light, yet durable enough to protect you from unpredictable autumn weather.
    — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of light
Noun
  • Christie’s estimates the large, rare tempera and gouache painting of a festive, folkloric Russian scene, which Kandinsky made in Paris, will fetch over $30 million.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The tarot is a full 78-card deck, with each card an original work of art, usually a composite of gouache painting and collage/lithography.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of gouache
Noun
  • Christie’s estimates the large, rare tempera and gouache painting of a festive, folkloric Russian scene, which Kandinsky made in Paris, will fetch over $30 million.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • 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.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Definition of tempera
Noun
  • The same sale includes an untitled 1968 acrylic on paper by Mark Rothko (estimate $10–$15 million), which appears to have been consigned by Ed Rabin, the former president of Hyatt Hotels, and his wife, Jackie.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • An acrylic and ink work on paper by artist Julie Wolfe, which Colgan gave to her husband for their first wedding anniversary, hangs over the bed.
    — Sallie Lewis, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of acrylic

Browse Nearby Words

pasted
pastel
pastels
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Cite this Entry

“Pastel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pastel. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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