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 In addition to the grisly injury, the nearly translucent bone itself makes this evidence even more striking. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for translucent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for translucent
Adjective
  • What matters is being transparent, listening to employees’ concerns and following through when answers become available.
    — Jon Lowe, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Now with Daniela landing in this transparent enclosure with him, this Jason helps plot their escape with the extra ampoules that she’s brought with her.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • This is made possible by the system’s zero-liquid-discharge technology, which evaporates the brine into solid salt and reduces the need to handle liquid waste.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • A lot of uncertainty remains in the lift capacity of Starship, as well as in how much cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen will boil off in orbit and how efficient the process of transferring propellants from one ship to another will be.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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