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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
At the 2026 Emmy Awards, Florence Pugh wore a pastel lilac gown from the label with off-the-shoulder design. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026 There were beautiful boulevards, sweeping bridges over the Moskva River, wide Stalin-era avenues lined with imposing granite buildings, and quiet nineteenth-century neighborhoods of pastel-colored mansions. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
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 Among pop-up bars, bandstands and opulent, 19th century spa buildings painted in sherbet pastels, the Karlovy Vary Intl. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 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
  • Windows are wide, sightlines are clear, and the palette is of pale stone, natural linens, and weathered cedar.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The actress wore a dress from the Lebanese designer’s resort 2027 collection, a pale lilac strapless dress with sheer chiffon fabric encrusted with a bevy of shimmering bugle beads.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of pale
Noun
  • The Artist Loft features artists in residence who teach workshops in various mediums, from collage to watercolor.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Korsgaard’s lovely watercolor paintings adorn the book’s endpapers and recap the monthly finds described in each chapter.
    — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of watercolor
Adjective
  • This embroidered quilt is the epitome of fall style with its warm background and mix of leaves in faded brown and golden hues.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The quasi-patriotic palette got contemporary edge from faded lines running through the red and dark navy stripes, which shifted between vertical and horizontal directions.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of faded
Noun
  • The Florida Lotto jackpot edged up to $2 million for Wednesday’s drawing.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Displayed alongside several of Ishioka’s original design drawings, the armor offers a fascinating look at how her ideas evolved from pencil on paper into something almost anatomical.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of drawing
Adjective
  • Expect light wood accents, rich textiles, white plantation shutters, and framed artwork alongside in-room lending libraries.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • But Paulina’s big plans are upended by the arrival at the school of Ericka (Jasmine Amy Rogers), a light-skinned Black girl from America with a Ghanaian father and a white mother back in Ohio.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 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 blanket is woven from acrylic and is made to maintain its color over time.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Nearby is another Barnes work, an acrylic painting depicting a neighborhood pool hall.
    — Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 18 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pastel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pastel

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