plastic

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective plastic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plastic are adaptable, ductile, malleable, pliable, and pliant. While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

In what contexts can adaptable take the place of plastic?

While in some cases nearly identical to plastic, adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

When can ductile be used instead of plastic?

The words ductile and plastic can be used in similar contexts, but ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

When is it sensible to use malleable instead of plastic?

Although the words malleable and plastic have much in common, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

When would pliable be a good substitute for plastic?

The meanings of pliable and plastic largely overlap; however, pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

When might pliant be a better fit than plastic?

The words pliant and plastic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

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 plastic Use a breathable paper or mesh bag, not plastic, to store your hyacinth bulbs. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2025 In South Broward County, Gladys Vasquez of Miramar clutches a plastic grocery bag and says the contents continue to cost more, listing foods like cheese and yogurt. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025 The plastic grip and silicone net are weather-resistant and safely keep phones in place, and customer support is available 24/7. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 The most dramatic of these was when he was hit in the face by a plastic bottle thrown by a spectator, staying upright and appearing unaffected. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plastic
Adjective
  • Adults have a waxy cottony-looking coating, while immature bugs are smaller but similar.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
  • As broadleaf evergreens, rhododendrons have developed a waxy coat on their leaves to help prevent water loss.
    Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some mock drafts had the Steelers taking a running back like Omarion Hampton in the first round.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Congratulations to all the top scorers who competed against 1,527 mock drafts!
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Burns had a strained relationship with his own father, and the Salarnos took him in as one of their own.
    Gabriella Demirdjian, CBS News, 2 May 2025
  • Text messages sent in the hours leading up to O’Keefe’s death read aloud to the court by a Massachusetts state trooper show the couple were at a strained point in their relationship.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Long-Term Resilience Prioritizing upskilling prepares you for a resilient future with adaptable employees ready to take on evolving roles.
    Danny Asnani, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Kara Nitschke, migratory and game bird biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said Canada geese are very adaptable and easily assimilate.
    Morgan Severson, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With digital platforms flooded with bots and fake numbers, Kerns built his following and client base by offering true engagement, authority, and working systems.
    Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • One way bots attack businesses is by creating fake accounts that can cash in on incentives like referral credit, discounts and promotions.
    Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike most bias-mitigation efforts that prioritize English, this dataset is malleable, with human translations for testing a wider breadth of languages and cultures.
    Reece Rogers, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Studies have also shown that physicians’ imaging behaviors are malleable.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While headphones usually create an unnatural and exaggerated stereo field inside the listener’s head, with virtual acoustic spaces a more natural stereo field can be experienced through headphones.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Photos often have unnatural colors, with little detail upon close inspection.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plastic. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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