Thesaurus results for SILHOUETTE

Q: How does the noun 'silhouette' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of silhouette are contour , outline , and profile . While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined. // photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

Q: Where would 'contour' be a reasonable alternative to 'silhouette'?

While in some cases nearly identical to silhouette , contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled. // a car with flowing contours

Q: When could 'outline' be used to replace 'silhouette'?

In some situations, the words outline and silhouette are roughly equivalent. However, outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass. // traced the outline of his hand

Q: When is it sensible to use 'profile' instead of 'silhouette'?

The meanings of profile and silhouette largely overlap; however, profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background. // a portrait of her face in profile

silhouette 1 of 2

noun

ˌsi-lə-ˈwet

Definition of silhouette next

as in outline

a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface cartoonists often try to give their characters recognizable silhouettes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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silhouette

2 of 2

verb

as in to trace

to draw or make apparent the outline of in the photograph the majestic mountain is strikingly silhouetted against the setting sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun silhouette differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of silhouette are contour, outline, and profile. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

Where would contour be a reasonable alternative to silhouette?

While in some cases nearly identical to silhouette, contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

When could outline be used to replace silhouette?

In some situations, the words outline and silhouette are roughly equivalent. However, outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When is it sensible to use profile instead of silhouette?

The meanings of profile and silhouette largely overlap; however, profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

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 silhouette

Noun

Fueled by the continuous wave of Y2K nostalgia, fashion fans are have been revisiting the lower rise silhouettes that dominated the late '90s and early 2000s, while styling them in a more wearable, modern way. —

Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 18 May 2026 The timeless silhouette works well with just about anything, but lately, a buttoned shirt and pleated Bermuda shorts have been the chicest styling combo on our street-style radar. —

India Roby, Glamour, 18 May 2026

Verb

Whatever is placed on the paper as it is exposed—a body, a flower—is silhouetted. —

Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026 Our southwest-facing room also rather generously provided a view towards Mount Fuji 60 miles away, all the more impressive when silhouetted against the blushing sunset. —

Stephen Kelly, TheWeek, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for silhouette

Recent Examples of Synonyms for silhouette

Noun

Each panel is made of a flax-linen blend with delicate floral outlines of blooms and leaves.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
The union says the strike is the fault of the MTA for not accepting the outline of a deal endorsed by two different federal panels that looked into the bargaining positions of the two sides.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 May 2026