as in pale
lacking intensity of color
a pastel blue to go with the pale pink walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
The delicate floral pattern looks as if it were painted against the pastel background, and the sheets feel as such—lightweight and breezy.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 3 Mar. 2026
Opt for a baby pastel blue to still be close enough to a versatile neutral.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pastel
Adjective
Having failed to please Greene with her abstractions, Lovelace O’Neal applied the powder directly to her white canvases, covering it in black pigment that became a background to pastel squiggles.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
The delicate floral pattern looks as if it were painted against the pastel background, and the sheets feel as such—lightweight and breezy.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
Noun
Her lips were lined with a dark greige liner, but instead of a pale pink, prismatic pastel, or shimmery beige lip color, Smith opted for a color-changing gold that flashed with metallic champagne tones in one light and warm, fiery orange in others, depending on the angle and the light.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 3 Mar. 2026
Opt for a baby pastel blue to still be close enough to a versatile neutral.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pastel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pastel
Adjective
-
The style is also available in a vibrant red, classic black, subtle ivory, and playful pale blue.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
The pistachio pudding gives both the cake and frosting a natural pale green hue.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Hidden Pond offers a luxurious and secluded stay, with bungalows and treetop studios nestled among 60 acres of birch groves and activities like watercolor painting and yoga in the garden.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
-
The Poway Center for the Performing Arts will be filled from top to bottom with art in a wide variety of techniques and mediums – pastel, watercolor, oil, acrylic and mixed media – during the North County Society of Fine Arts Exhibit through May 30.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Leaving the faded flowers on these plants will ensure seeds develop to nurture the next generation of blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
-
When deadheading, cut where the blossom's stem joins the rest of the plant—in other words, remove not only the faded flower, but the tiny stem attached to it as well.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The winning numbers for the Wednesday, May 20, Powerball drawing are 10, 28, 30, 46, 57, and the Powerball is 25.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
-
Now there is space for the remaining patients to occupy their seats without the self-conscious drawing-in of arms and legs that comes from sitting too close to a stranger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Made from a breathable, sweat-wicking fabric, these versatile pants are perfect for light activities like long walks, warm-ups, running errands, and busy travel days.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
All rooms feature wheelchair-accessible doors, lowered peepholes, light switches, and closet door handles; a roll-in shower or tub with grab bars; and teletypewriters and telecommunications devices available upon request.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
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.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
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.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Use a paintbrush or your finger to cover the egg with tempera paint.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Inside, the front desk is flanked by an animatronic dire wolf and a life-size acrylic woolly mammoth peering out from what appears to be a massive block of ice.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2026
-
The parts were produced from a full-sized 1mm acrylic panel, ensuring clean edges and consistent accuracy across the oversized structure.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pastel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pastel. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
