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

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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
Also on the trends list for bts is the Y2K retro running silhouettes from New Balance and Nike, as well as technical running shoes that can move beyond workouts to everyday wear — think Adidas Adizero Pacer and Brooks Anthem. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 There are seemingly countless takes on the ubiquitous shoe, from classic round-toe and Mary Jane silhouettes to mesh slippers and ugly-on-purpose sneakerina hybrids. — Jordan Julian, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026 Banta highlights quiet, clean, and slightly oversized silhouettes borrowed from streetwear and skate culture as a key trend. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026 Instead, Brink and stylist Shiona Turini consistently blend masculine tailoring and feminine silhouettes to create looks worth emulating all autumn long. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2026 Each of Dean’s looks for her string of shows, regardless of designer, have incorporated old Hollywood-esque details like fringe hems, floor-grazing silhouettes, feather boa skirts, and technicolor hues. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silhouettes
  1. outlines
  2. traces
  3. figures
  4. sketches
Noun
  • Abrams said the broad outlines of a war with Iran, including it contesting the Strait of Hormuz, were well understood in national security circles before the fighting began.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Many of the risks Gates outlines are specific to richer, Western countries.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of outlines
Verb
  • Stellarator targets continuous operation Helical Fusion traces its technical roots to decades of stellarator research in Japan.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Basel show traces the roots of Cao’s interest in simulation, as manifested in the parallel realities, generational longing, and everyday social theater experienced by young people during China’s early-2000s boom.
    — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of traces
Noun
  • But Jarmond later worked with a search committee that included prominent UCLA figures Bob Myers, Adam Peters and Casey Wasserman on the hiring of Bob Chesney, who quickly injected hope and optimism into the football program.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The backlash went beyond online and reached political figures like New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who sent The Met committee a letter urging them to reconsider honoring Galliano.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of figures
Verb
  • Bernard sketches out the location of Silo 1, at the center of seven complexes, each containing seven silos.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
  • That concision is evident in an almost brutally economical edit and in sharp, precise writing which provides narrative elements and deftly sketches character before moving busily on.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of sketches

Browse Nearby Words

silhouetted
silhouettes
silhouetting
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Cite this Entry

“Silhouettes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silhouettes. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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