as in lipstick
old-fashioned
a red powder or cream that is used to make your cheeks pinker
She was wearing too much rouge.
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Recent Examples of rouge
Richard Obert, azcentral, 30 Dec. 2019
That morning, Suzanne had spritzed some of her mother’s favorite perfume on her, put red lipstick on her lips and used some to rouge her cheeks.
—Maggie Jones, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2019
Tomris Laffly, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025
After dominating high-profile events like the Emmys and MTV Video Music Awards in 2024, stars including Dakota Fanning, Emma Stone and Ali Wong brought rouge hues into 2025, wearing them at the 2025 Golden Globes.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rouge
Noun
Because Chandler was hit with rouging the passer on the play, Hamilton had an untimed down to try to win it from the 2.
—Richard Obert, azcentral, 30 Dec. 2019
That morning, Suzanne had spritzed some of her mother’s favorite perfume on her, put red lipstick on her lips and used some to rouge her cheeks.
—Maggie Jones, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2019
Verb
There is something oddly delightful about a movie that leans into some basic and cheesy ’80s-action-movie machinations — good guys, bad guys, innocent corporate hostages, a rouge hero — and so on.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025
After dominating high-profile events like the Emmys and MTV Video Music Awards in 2024, stars including Dakota Fanning, Emma Stone and Ali Wong brought rouge hues into 2025, wearing them at the 2025 Golden Globes.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rouge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rouge
Noun
-
For instance, their lipstick may be too dark for their skin tone and may be applied beyond the natural vermilion line in an effort to give the lips a fuller appearance, instead looking like the exaggerated mouth of a clown.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
20 June 2025
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Those in need of organization will also rejoice, as the bag also comes with a zippered pouch that can keep smaller items like sunglasses, your go-to lipstick, tissues, hand sanitizer, and more neat and tidy.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
The paddle took me along this tranquil, ambling waterway, littered with sea hibiscus flowers in various stages of their daily transition from pale yellow to crimson.—
Naomi Tomky,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2025
-
Rhubarb is primarily depicted in various shades of red, but depending on the variety, its color can range from pale green to crimson.—
Aaron Hutcherson,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2024
Noun
-
While her makeup is often minimal—her Eldorado Ballroom looks require only a skin tint, mascara, and lip balm—Solange’s Met Gala beauty moment featured Diana Ross-like bottom lashes and smokey shadow.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 June 2025
-
Top it off with a waterproof or water-resistant mascara to prevent smudging.—
Angela Trakoshis,
Allure,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Nickelback would blush at the amount of clichés spewed.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
28 June 2025
-
But thanks to the marketers of marigolds, trumpet vines, and hydrangeas, my once-bleak inbox now also blushes with cheerful pastels.—
Danny Heitman,
Christian Science Monitor,
17 June 2025
Verb
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The first Tron had played out as a series of face-offs featuring glowing figures against a black background, replicating the blank environment of an arcade screen.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
Miguel and Angel were grinning maniacs standing in the middle of the set with their arms around each other’s shoulders, like ballplayers after a winning game surrounded by a circle of glowing fans.—
Helen Schulman,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Not an eclipsed sunrise but flocks of sandpipers and other shorebirds flocking against a reddening dawn sky.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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What if, for example, a thick layer of horizon haze significantly attenuates the sun's light, dimming and reddening it to such a degree that you're tempted to look directly at it?—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rouge. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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