pall 1 of 2

noun

Definition of pallnext
1
as in coffin
a boxlike container for holding a dead body bearing her husband's pall were her four brothers and two nephews

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in cloud
an overspreading element that produces an atmosphere of gloom a persistent pall of distrust has overtaken this administration and will remain until the president resigns

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in veil
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth a pall of gloom overshadowed the failing theater's last production

Synonyms & Similar Words

pall

2 of 2

verb

ˈpȯl How to pronounce pall (audio)
as in to subside
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually viewers' interest in the reality show eventually palled

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pall different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of pall are cloy, glut, gorge, sate, satiate, and surfeit. While all these words mean "to fill to repletion," pall emphasizes the loss of ability to stimulate interest or appetite.

a life of leisure eventually begins to pall

When is it sensible to use cloy instead of pall?

While the synonyms cloy and pall are close in meaning, cloy stresses the disgust or boredom resulting from such surfeiting.

sentimental pictures that cloy after a while

When might glut be a better fit than pall?

Although the words glut and pall have much in common, glut implies excess in feeding or supplying.

a market glutted with diet books

When is gorge a more appropriate choice than pall?

While in some cases nearly identical to pall, gorge suggests glutting to the point of bursting or choking.

gorged themselves with chocolate

How are the words satiate and sate related as synonyms of pall?

Both satiate and sate may sometimes imply only complete satisfaction but more often suggest repletion that has destroyed interest or desire.

years of globe-trotting had satiated their interest in travel
readers were sated with sensationalistic stories

In what contexts can surfeit take the place of pall?

The meanings of surfeit and pall largely overlap; however, surfeit implies a nauseating repletion.

surfeited themselves with junk food

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 pall
Noun
There’s a pall that’s been cast over the city. —Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 The popularity backlash Even as family vloggers and parenting influencers surge in popularity, a pall has been cast over the community due to some recent developments. —Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
But three weeks into their stay — Spain arrived in New Zealand well in advance of its first game, hoping to draw the sting from the jet lag — the place had started to pall. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023 But after a time, the combination of abrasive, impenetrably shellacked characters and deliberately, hopelessly tangled shaggy-dog storytelling begins to pall, and viewers may wish for a simpler way in. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2022 See All Example Sentences for pall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pall
  1. coffin
  2. cloud
  3. veil
  4. subside
  5. casket
  6. shroud
  7. diminish
  8. tomb
Noun
  • On Friday, September 5, the coffin was moved to Kensington Palace; the following morning, she was buried at Althorp.
    — Emma Banks, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Mourners carried his coffin in the town of Bani Walid, 91 miles southeast of the capital, Tripoli, as well as large photographs of both Seif al-Islam, who was known mostly by his first name, and his father.
    — Yousef Murad, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of coffin
Noun
  • And third, the center of the nebula is obscure, with what looks like a wispy cloud in the foreground blocking us from seeing the central star itself.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
  • That data lives in Google’s cloud and servers.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of cloud
Noun
  • At the last minute, Hannah decided to add a veil.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Newspaper archives show couples wearing their finest attire, brides wearing veils cascading down their full-length gowns and others wearing red or pink in a nod to Valentine’s Day.
    — Melissa Renteria, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of veil
Verb
  • While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The heaviest fighting has subsided, but the fragile ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire.
    — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of subside
Noun
  • The last piece depicts the same character in a casket and the sound that Marc developed is the same story, but with sounds.
    — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Oklahoma doesn't regulate casket design or casket manufacturing.
    — Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of casket
Noun
  • One man is covered with a bloody white shroud inside a body bag.
    — Marin Scott, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The opposition needs to offer a credible safe exit for these regime insiders, convincing them that the Islamic Republic is no longer their shield, but their shroud.
    — Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of shroud
Verb
  • In addition, the measure would have significant negative economic impact on the Northern Colorado region, potentially diminish cherished and time-honored campus traditions, and erode the public safety infrastructure the campus has put in place to support students and the broader community.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Facial hair prevents the mask from properly sealing to your face, diminishing its guarantee of protection.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of diminish
Noun
  • Even so, someone fired gunshots into the tomb, shattering part of the structure.
    — Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Devotees often visit their tombs to seek a miraculous intervention.
    — Vanessa Corcoran, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Definition of tomb

Browse Nearby Words

palish
pall
palladia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pall. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pall

Nglish: Translation of pall for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pall

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