silhouette 1 of 2

as in outline
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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silhouette

2 of 2

verb

as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of in the photograph the majestic mountain is strikingly silhouetted against the setting sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun silhouette differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of silhouette are contour, outline, and profile. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

Where would contour be a reasonable alternative to silhouette?

While in some cases nearly identical to silhouette, contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

When could outline be used to replace silhouette?

In some situations, the words outline and silhouette are roughly equivalent. However, outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When is it sensible to use profile instead of silhouette?

The meanings of profile and silhouette largely overlap; however, profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

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 silhouette
Noun
The designer’s resort line, known for breezy silhouettes and refined neutrals, makes its final stop with a full takeover of Shelter Island’s beach and Chez Marie restaurant. Air Mail, 31 May 2025 The neutral density filter remains, and while the outside appears to have been redesigned, with slightly different buttons, the basic silhouette is the same. Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 31 May 2025
Verb
Taking inspiration from three of the most popular Ray-Ban silhouettes the Mega Wayfarer, Mega Clubmaster and Mega Balorama the differentiator is the nearly opaque black lenses, gold hardware and custom AWGE logo representing Rocky’s label and creative collective. Mecca Pryor, Essence, 18 Apr. 2025 Jennifer Cuvillier, style director at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche Top trends: Business bags, larger-sized bags to fit a computer, which link with the office-business trend, novelty suiting, new oversize and powerful volumes, as well as with the mannish derby shoes silhouettes. Sandra Salibian, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for silhouette
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silhouette
Noun
  • The Rams linebacker delicately gripped a paintbrush, dipped it into a cup of green paint, and began filling the outline of a bird traced onto a wall of an Altadena school rebounding from the Eaton fire.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
  • Stars can be seen shining above the outline of our planet's dense, gaseous atmosphere as the sun sets, while city lights and lightning storms play across the cloudy vista below.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • This example also shows how the wheel’s evolution, much like its iconic shape, traces a circuitous path – one with no clear beginning, no end, and countless quiet revolutions along the way.
    Kai James, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
  • The latter split into at least three sub-lineages whose movements have been traced in South America, but scientists have not yet ascertained when the first people would have moved from Central America to South America.
    Jack Guy, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Customarily, Marta Martino sketches foundational ideas and key influences of the shapes or design elements on which a collection will be based.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The second exercise is to sketch out your ideal life in one year's, five years' and 10 years' time.
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • His music is also a way for parents to connect with the club vibe that, for many, defined their pre-child years.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 June 2025
  • The program defined orphans as children who had lost one or both parents to AIDS, and the children did not necessarily have HIV themselves.
    Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Silhouette.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silhouette. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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