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
Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 6 June 2026
The artists shared a wide variety of techniques and mediums – pastel, watercolor, oil, acrylic and mixed media.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 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
Gingham is trending for summer, and the classic print is particularly pretty in an easter-egg pastel option on these pants.
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 6 June 2026
The artists shared a wide variety of techniques and mediums – pastel, watercolor, oil, acrylic and mixed media.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 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
-
One star is a pale orange and the other is a very distinct blue.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
-
Other signs include pale or yellow leaves all over, mushy stems, and visible fungus at the base of the plant.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The artists shared a wide variety of techniques and mediums – pastel, watercolor, oil, acrylic and mixed media.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
-
The paint is deftly mottled but its handling lacks the prowess of her later work (see, for example, Being Beamed, 1984, a fantasia of extraterrestrial teleportation in which the watercolor is sumptuous but perfectly controlled).—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Pinch Off Faded Flowers or Cut Back To ensure continuous production, Anna Ohler, the owner of Bright Lane Gardens, suggests pinching off any faded flowers, including the seed pod.—
Jane Kim,
The Spruce,
9 June 2026
-
The cream color pops against faded black jeans, as in Hudson’s outfit, but it can also be paired with blue denim, skirts, or linen pants.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The winning numbers for Tuesday’s Mega Millions lottery drawing are 9, 30, 36, 38 and 40.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
Paired with the print is a letter from a young woman named Harriet Bailey to her uncle on the front lines of the Civil War, containing seeds delicately etched with drawings of a ship, facesand a dog.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Five pockets, a mid-rise fit, and a polished-looking crossover design make this style stock-up-worthy in both the black and light washes.—
Olivia Cigliano,
InStyle,
11 June 2026
-
The chicken is what transforms it from a lighter salad into a complete, satisfying meal that actually holds you over.—
Jennifer Klump,
Verywell Health,
11 June 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
-
In that same spirit, VF worked with Muñoz to create artistic portraits in pencil, watercolor, and acrylic at the dinner.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
9 June 2026
-
The artists shared a wide variety of techniques and mediums – pastel, watercolor, oil, acrylic and mixed media.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pastel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pastel. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
