as in iridescent
having a rainbowlike play of colors
once given away as a cheap prize at carnivals, this opalescent glass is now highly prized by collectors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of opalescent
Barbaro’s performance is stirring, her falsetto fine and opalescent.
—
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2024
The quality of the light not quite the same, softer, more opalescent, and part of the pool in the shade, making the water there look flat and deep.
—David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024
Her nails, designed by her go-to nail artist Miho Okawara, were a long almond shape painted with an iridescent pale gray with an opalescent finish that shifted from pale pink to pale blue with the light.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Oct. 2024
Inside a wet glint, opalescent, full as an egg
of creamy gray shadow, sediment
ground down finely and suspended
like a verdict in a tone.
—Frances Leviston, The New York Review of Books, 26 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2024
The quality of the light not quite the same, softer, more opalescent, and part of the pool in the shade, making the water there look flat and deep.
—David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024
Her nails, designed by her go-to nail artist Miho Okawara, were a long almond shape painted with an iridescent pale gray with an opalescent finish that shifted from pale pink to pale blue with the light.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Oct. 2024
Inside a wet glint, opalescent, full as an egg
of creamy gray shadow, sediment
ground down finely and suspended
like a verdict in a tone.
—Frances Leviston, The New York Review of Books, 26 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for opalescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opalescent
Adjective
-
This species is common across eastern Asia and is known for iridescent yellow flowers.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 Feb. 2025
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Exploring new techniques and tactile fabrications that emulate raw materials like steel, glass and leather — the Fall collection sees sculptural silhouettes crafted in glossy oil slick vinyls, iridescent silks, metallic lamé and intricate abstract embroideries that emulate tire tracks.—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Tiffany has a long-standing history with pearls, both nacreous—from oysters and mollusks—and non-nacreous, like Melo Melo pearls.—
Stellene Volandes,
Town & Country,
20 Feb. 2021
-
Unfortunately, nacreous clouds also support chemical reactions that convert benign chlorine-containing molecules into a form that destroys Earth’s ozone layer.—
Rebecca Coffey,
Discover Magazine,
29 Jan. 2012
Adjective
-
Boasting almost one million views, the slideshow shows the minuscule pup during his time at the shelter: dressed in brightly-colored sweaters, resting on colorful, warm blankets, and surrounded by toys—many of them bigger than him.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Gone are the rainbow dreads of yore with Clinton taking the stage in Chicago clad in a colorful robe and a t-shirt bearing an image of the iconic P-Funk mothership following an enthralling opening performance by the Windy City’s own Tamarie T. & Thee Elektra Kumpany.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
With a pearlescent finish, the brightening product is another staple in Streets’s kit.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Upon being named Best New Artist at last night’s ceremony, the 26-year-old singer took to the stage in a pointy cap (which promptly fell to the floor) and a robe that was scrunched into pearlescent folds.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opalescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opalescent. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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