as in subtle
barely perceptible by a sense or by the mind
They studied how the subjects were affected by different sounds played at liminal intensity.
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Recent Examples of liminal
That liminal space that Elie describes between belief and disbelief has closed, at least for the time being.
—
Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
As a death doula, a big part of the work is sitting in that liminal space rather than running away from it.
—Nicole Stanton, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Summer is a state of mind, and the micro-trends below occupy that liminal space between easy city polish and dreamy holiday dressing.
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 May 2025
The ‘Just passing through’ players These are individuals to whom Old Trafford became a liminal space.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for liminal
Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
As a death doula, a big part of the work is sitting in that liminal space rather than running away from it.
—Nicole Stanton, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Summer is a state of mind, and the micro-trends below occupy that liminal space between easy city polish and dreamy holiday dressing.
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 May 2025
The ‘Just passing through’ players These are individuals to whom Old Trafford became a liminal space.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for liminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liminal
Adjective
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They are intended to reduce trauma to the scalp, may contribute to smoother recovery, and are designed to help achieve subtle, natural-looking outcomes.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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The property’s subtle musical motif reminds guests of its beginnings as a radio station, while the sunset libations at its Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar draw a regular crowd.—
Katie Strasberg Rousso,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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That memory, faint but enduring, was set in the downstairs den of their home.—
Ajdina Halilovic,
Wired News,
6 July 2025
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The Milky Way appears as a faint, hazy band stretching across the sky, almost like a cloud made of stars.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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Prioritize assessing causal reasoning abilities using previously unseen scenarios and examples that require genuine understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.—
Siobhan Hanna,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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Plenty of cosmic wonders are expected to be revealed by the telescope, including countless previously unseen asteroids, exploding supernova stars and millions of distant galaxies.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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And when detecting the artist approaching flow, the device would emit a subtle cue — a slight change in the sound of their instrument or the lighting — to give the brain a subconscious boost and thereby accelerate and enhance one’s immersion into flow.—
Brandon Sneed,
Rolling Stone,
6 July 2025
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Similarly, Morning Consult's June 27 to 29 poll found 47 percent of respondents approved of Trump's job performance, with 50 percent disapproving—a slight improvement from May's 45 percent approval and 53 percent disapproval.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Whether in a lab or a bedroom, the unconscious brain often connects ideas in ways our waking selves can’t, delivering sudden insights that feel like inspiration — but are really the reward for deep, often invisible, thought.—
Chris Reed,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
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Bacteria and viruses responsible for such illnesses are invisible, odorless, and tasteless.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Liminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liminal. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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