translucent

Definition of translucentnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective translucent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of translucent are clear, limpid, and transparent. While all these words mean "capable of being seen through," translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond.

translucent frosted glass

When would clear be a good substitute for translucent?

The meanings of clear and translucent largely overlap; however, clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness.

clear water

When might limpid be a better fit than translucent?

In some situations, the words limpid and translucent are roughly equivalent. However, limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water.

her eyes were limpid pools of blue

When is it sensible to use transparent instead of translucent?

The synonyms transparent and translucent are sometimes interchangeable, but transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly.

a transparent sheet of film

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 translucent The unconventional clock is really a 12-hour looped video of Baas, silhouetted and seemingly inside the translucent clock face, manually painting the ticking by of minutes. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026 This was followed by a frame-by-frame analysis to better track the movement, which is visible because the structures are semi-translucent. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026 In those areas, strong katabatic winds flowing fast downhill remove snow, exposing hard, translucent ice. — Daniella McCahey, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 The entrance to the loft space is flanked by colorful, translucent plastic strips, allowing light and people to easily pass through. — Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for translucent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for translucent
Adjective
  • With no clear end to the volatility, independent retailers are having to build it into their buying strategies, prioritizing flexible orders, transparent shipping terms, and suppliers willing to share the risk.
    — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Espinosa demanded accountability from ICE and called for a transparent investigation of the incident.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Testing a different reactor design Unlike conventional reactors, which typically use solid fuel, molten salt reactor designs can dissolve nuclear fuel in liquid salt.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Neither liquid nor solid, the soft peat layers formed in bogs and fens set them apart from all other ecosystems.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • O’Connor’s face filled the screen, her crystal-blue eyes piercing me in my own living room.
    — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 25 July 2026
  • Beside the dessert sat a crystal coupe overflowing with Caramelized Shallot Dip from Every Leaf, Every Stem.
    — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Translucent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/translucent. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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