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
Go for one of these more robust neutrals instead of your usual milky white or pastel pink, or try one of these rich and vibrant shades that feel almost ready for fall. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 For the occasion, Queen Letizia chose a midi dress from the label featuring a geometric pastel pattern that resembles a minimalist, avant-garde take on floral motifs. — Katharina Fuchs, Vogue, 27 July 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
  • Her long white hair, normally collected in a bun, trailed down past her shoulders in smooth, pale waves.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
  • This is a place to order something sparkly—maybe the Broadway 75, a pale pink French 75 riff—to sip at the circular bar, or ensconced in the velvet banquette seats.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of pale
Noun
  • Imagine darling dahlias in moody chocolate hues, or rows of multicolor Florentine flowers; or creamy watercolor butterflies and florals.
    — Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Bright colors during action sequences and conversations look vibrant, while backgrounds rendered in a more watercolor-style are properly subdued without seeming dull.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of watercolor
Adjective
  • Today, Tskaltubo's grand architecture stands as a testament to its faded glory—the sweeping arcs, decorative motifs, and faded murals all reminiscent of its once poignant beauty.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
  • Learn how to stain a fence the right way to protect a new wood fence or enhance a faded fence.
    — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026
Definition of faded
Noun
  • In another conversation, Marcee Gray brought up an online drawing showing Colt alongside the Columbine shooters and Parkland gunman Nikolas Cruz in the style of a Weezer album cover.
    — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Nazca Lines, ​enormous drawings and ⁠geometric figures etched into desert plains in the south of the country, are one of Peru’s main tourist destinations, attracting approximately ​100,000 annual visitors.
    — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of drawing
Adjective
  • Just outside the main restaurant is the lobby lounge and bar for cocktails and light snacks, although there are no views.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • That interplay of warmth, spice, and richer notes is what gives fall fragrances their unmistakable character, setting them apart from the lighter, brighter scents of spring and summer.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of light
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of gouache
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
  • The decision to paint with tempera, the same medium used to create those Arabic maps, proved fortuitous.
    — Zoe Si, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025
Definition of tempera
Noun
  • Somewhere between the phone chargers and the lighters there is usually a small acrylic case at eye level.
    — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Clear acrylic is the standard finish, keeping the mechanism visible from across the room.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Aug. 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 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pastel

Nglish: Translation of pastel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pastel

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