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

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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

Boxy, Straight-Lined Furniture Sharp angles and rigid silhouettes once defined contemporary interiors, but designers are increasingly embracing softer forms. —

Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026 Expect light linens and shimmering silks, flowing drapes and silhouettes, and an artful interplay between classicism and subtle modernity. —

Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 14 June 2026

Verb

The astronauts will also look for dust lofted off the moon’s surface and silhouetted against the faint coronal light. —

Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 6 Apr. 2026 Whatever is placed on the paper as it is exposed—a body, a flower—is silhouetted. —

Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for silhouette

Recent Examples of Synonyms for silhouette

Noun

The publication's covers have captured history and the public mood that defines it — like the famous September 2001 issue's cover, which simply featured the black outline of the Twin Towers against a dark sky.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
This partly due to the lack of subdial outlines, a characteristic of the collection.

— Carol Besler, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2025