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
And why do the pastel skies and misty landscapes outside his window look painterly to the point of artificial? — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026 In it, two extras stand in a large white tent, dressed in designer Milena Canonero’s pastel Oscar-winning costumes, snapping a photo on a digital camera. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 26 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
  • But most visitors were gathered around one explosively colorful painting in swirling shades of light and dark blue, bottle green, and pale gold.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, the surrounding sky darkens, increasing the contrast until the pale daytime moon seems to switch on at dusk and grow increasingly brilliant.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of pale
Noun
  • Another is a loose watercolor that resembles a Color Field painting, rather than the technique typically associated with Basquiat.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The artist complicates the photographs further by painting over them with ink and watercolor.
    — Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of watercolor
Adjective
  • At the denouement, Kember is completely alone, his flat, narcotized baritone dripping onto the faded guitar notes like melted mercury.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Fly Faster Tee uses heavyweight cotton jersey with a faded finish, while the Patch Tee receives a heavy enzyme wash.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of faded
Noun
  • The drawings were extraordinary, but the text — while unsurprisingly playful — was also tropey and wanting, and the wanting came in waves.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2026
  • That wasn’t the Mega Millions jackpot, now up to $385 million for Tuesday’s drawing.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of drawing
Adjective
  • People went through the admission and security checkpoints without issues, and the event’s early evening acts enjoyed mostly dry stages with light, intermittent rain.
    — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The setting's soft color scheme matches the muted tone of his voice, with the congressman wearing a light-blue shirt in the cream-and-beige kitchen.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 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
  • With iPolish, a single set of smart press-on acrylic nails can switch between hundreds of colors in seconds using electronic display technology.
    — Nina Derwin, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The most water-repellent plastics, polyethylene and polypropylene, were the most active, while PET and acrylic, which contain chemical groups that attract water, were the least.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pastel

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