rarefied

adjective

Definition of rarefiednext
as in buoyant

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 rarefied But luxury companies may also struggle with DPP compliance because few rarefied supply chains have transparency beyond Tier 1, Brock said. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 In the 2030s, aging party leaders living in rarefied Zhongnanhai compounds may look out and see superficial stability. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026 On road, the KB998 Rimini’s rarity factor should only bolster Bimota’s already rarefied status. — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026 In 2011, Brian Jensen opened Bottlecraft, a bottle shop in Little Italy that offered craft ales and lagers in a rarefied environment, going beyond standard liquor stores and beverage retailers. — Brandon Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rarefied
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rarefied
  1. buoyant
  2. weightless
  3. vaporous
  4. lightweight
  5. unsubstantial
  6. lighter-than-air
  7. diaphanous
  8. flimsy
Adjective
  • Some layers, like sandstone, contain honeycombed pores capable of holding CO2, while others, like mudstone, can act as impermeable seals, trapping the buoyant gas underground.
    — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Her portrayal is buoyant and curious, both attuned to and alienated from Mi-ok’s hopes and desires, whether emotional or erotic or material.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of buoyant
Adjective
  • Allure Best of Beauty winner—feels practically weightless on skin, absorbing quickly without clogging pores or leaving behind a greasy residue.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The result is weightless all-day volume that mimics that of hair on the much thicker side, and hairstylist Becca Kraeger swears by it for adding fullness and bounce to natural curls without weighing them down.
    — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of weightless
Adjective
  • In the Christian tradition, these words are a grim warning of our transience, the vaporous substance of our lives.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Hz [Warp] Warp lodestars Seefeel are most recognizable for their vaporous blend of shoegaze, ambient, and experimental electronic music.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
Definition of vaporous
Adjective
  • For this reason, the third stage is made mostly of composites, which are high-performing and lightweight.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The soft, lightweight layer features ribbed detailing that instantly dresses up classic jeans or trousers.
    — Kaitlin Gates, InStyle, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of lightweight
Adjective
  • Roadmaps are frequently high-level and unsubstantial.
    — Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • This can alter the amount and types of ACE-inhibiting peptides created during fermentation2—and possibly account for kombucha's unsubstantial effect on blood pressure.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 27 Dec. 2025
Definition of unsubstantial
Adjective
  • Control algorithms enable the vehicle to react instantly to gusts of wind, which have long been the bane of lighter-than-air vehicles.
    — Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The volunteer-run group is pursuing an unconventional Airship to Orbit plan that could use lighter-than-air vehicles to reach space.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of lighter-than-air
Adjective
  • Meunier, who keeps a replica of the mask in his apartment, translated his fascination with her into a hauntingly romantic collection of diaphanous, nightdress-like gowns, fluid tailoring, and trailing silhouettes.
    — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the luxurious textures, the diaphanous space had the air of a compartment.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of diaphanous
Adjective
  • Just enough time for that line between the real and the mystical to grow even flimsier.
    — Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The floating booms, to starboard, looked like flimsy protection against the spill.
    — Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of flimsy

Browse Nearby Words

raree-shows
rarefied
rarely
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Rarefied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rarefied. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of defer

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All