silhouettes 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

silhouettes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of silhouette
as in traces
to draw or make apparent the outline of in the photograph the majestic mountain is strikingly silhouetted against the setting sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 silhouettes
Noun
Taylor Swift, Juno Temple and Gillian Anderson have all worn platform silhouettes as of late in varying colors and textures from brands like Gucci, Miu Miu and Paris Texas, among others. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026 Long considered a neutral by the fashion set, leopard pairs effortlessly with a range of fabrics, silhouettes and colors thanks to its earthy palette. — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026 Choosing furniture with consistent silhouettes and fewer details gives the eye room to move, making a compact yard feel calmer and more expansive. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026 The anti-skinny silhouettes catching our eye lately include wide-leg, straight, and barrel options that provide extra breathing room for summer without looking frumpy. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026 At showtime, video screens surrounding the stage began to glide upwards, revealing two familiar silhouettes, complete with dual doublenecks, shrouded by thick clouds of smoke. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026 However, what does change are the silhouettes, colors, and various details that each season brings. — Melisa Vargas, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2026 Choose from contemporary yet classic silhouettes in classic readers and sunglasses for men and women. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 Speaking of fit, Abercrombie continues to earn our seal of approval for its extensive size range and variety of silhouettes, including its popular Curve Love line. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silhouettes
  1. outlines
  2. traces
  3. figures
  4. sketches
Noun
  • To ensure a net gain, our agency completely avoids cliché prompts and invests significant time in sharpening them with firsthand data, raw outlines and strict audience constraints.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In his experimental doc, Wadimoff has the Palestinian refugees recreate the experiences of their escape from Gaza on a barren stage marked out by chalk outlines, in the style of Lars von Trier’s Dogville.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of outlines
Verb
  • The White Pass and Yukon Route traces a Gold Rush-era railroad from Skagway into the dramatic Coast Mountains and Canada.
    — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
  • French shoemaker Méduse traces its first soft plastic beach sandal to 1946.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of traces
Noun
  • Paying multiple creators or celebrities to attend and post can add another six figures, pushing a larger activation into the several-hundred-thousand-dollar range.
    — Jessica Schiffer, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Those figures showcase how many workers view AI as a helpful tool for their schedules rather than a threat to their positions.
    — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of figures
Verb
  • Such a sentence sketches a profound contrast between Europe as the cradle of refined culture—the Renaissance, high art, and philosophy—and Asia as the site of empires and violence.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Architect sketches from the developer call the hotel Sam Furr Road Inn, but the proposal would be called Cornelius Inn, town officials said.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
Definition of sketches

Browse Nearby Words

silhouetted
silhouettes
silhouetting
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Silhouettes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silhouettes. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of devolve

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All