silhouette 1 of 2

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
Activewear brand Varley has mastered the art of the tennis dress, offering a wide array of silhouettes and styles to choose from. Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 27 June 2025 These are the coveted items our editors immediately added to their carts for checkout—a mix of trend-forward silhouettes and everyday essentials—all up for grabs at up to 40% off. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 27 June 2025
Verb
Mod silhouettes The ’60s are also on the way in—just ask Gucci, Prada, and Celine, which all channeled the decade’s hallmarks on this season’s catwalks. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 May 2025 Taking inspiration from three of the most popular Ray-Ban silhouettes the Mega Wayfarer, Mega Clubmaster and Mega Balorama the differentiator is the nearly opaque black lenses, gold hardware and custom AWGE logo representing Rocky’s label and creative collective. Mecca Pryor, Essence, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for silhouette
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silhouette
Noun
  • The president did not detail specific asks or outline how negotiations could proceed following the U.S. strikes.
    Jesse Byrnes, The Hill, 22 June 2025
  • The Athletic reported in March that Silver would pitch the NBA Board of Governors with the outline of a plan to launch a new pro basketball league in Europe within the next couple of years.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The exhibition consists of two parallel themes, one that charts Vuitton’s maritime connections, which is meant to pay homage to Shanghai, and one that traces its brand history, starting from its roots in Asnières, where the original workshop was established in 1859.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
  • Spanning her 1968 debut, Song to a Seagull, through her performance at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival, Joni’s Jazz traces Mitchell’s longstanding love affair with the titular genre.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • These predictions sketch a compelling future where predictive AI transforms R&D, automation elevates human ingenuity and innovative platforms redefine scientific discovery.
    Michael Connell, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The exhibition begins in the early 1900s, when Duchamp was sketching, painting and largely abiding by the rules of the art world, as in a portrait of his younger sister, Yvonne.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Paul Guerlain, the grandson of Jean-Paul Guerlain, although not affiliated with the Guerlain brand, represents the next generation committed to upholding the values that have defined the maison for centuries.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • As international attention turns away from missile strikes and toward diplomacy following the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, a deeper, longer-term struggle is quietly taking shape inside the Islamic Republic — one that will define the country’s political future.
    Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Silhouette.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silhouette. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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