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

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

More recently, Dries Van Noten furthered the suede agenda with its low-top silhouette, pushing forth the momentum from want to all-out hysteria. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025 The sleek silhouette, paired with the unique keyhole cut-out, makes this dress an instant classic ideal for warm-weather travels. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2025

Verb

Guests are silhouetted against the flames, none of them competing with the electronic illumination of screens. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 Office silhouettes Chanel, Simone Rocha, Miu MiuVictor VIRGILE/Getty Images Career men are known for wearing loafers, Oxfords, and brogues; 2025’s most stylish women, meanwhile, wear their heeled counterparts. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for silhouette

Recent Examples of Synonyms for silhouette

Noun

The creamy texture of the crayon prevents the pencil tip from dragging or pulling at the skin, while its high color-payoff leaves behind a fine outline in either Black, Brown or Burgundy.

— Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
For a full breakdown of the registration process, refer to the outline below: After reaching a sign-up landing page, make sure to input bonus code NEWSWEEK1500.

— Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025