pall 1 of 2

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

pall

2 of 2

verb

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
But the glow of success, and even more so the pall of failure, is always shared. Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025 The uncertainty, including how long Mayor Karen Bass’ 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will remain in effect, has added to the pall over downtown L.A., where businesses and restaurants are also struggling with security issues and the many unknowns of the swiftly evolving crisis. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Verb
If there was no Venice, does that mean that the overall attraction of an Adriatic cruise would pall? Julia Buckley, CNN, 8 May 2021 Reduced to highlights and stripped of distinction, Percy’s adventures with Furies, oracles, Medusa, Ares and Hades quickly pall. Jesse Green, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for pall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pall
Noun
  • Young people danced around the coffin while waving a Kenyan flag.
    Nicholas Komu, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • In the early 19th century, the body and coffins were acquired by the brothers Robert and William Garnett.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2025
  • There are both federal regulations and state regulations for cloud seeding and other forms of weather modification.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The post also pulled back the veil, if only slightly, on the complex and secretive process federal officials use to determine who belongs on terrorism watch lists that can influence decisions every day by employers, airport security and law enforcement.
    Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
  • Not only that, but Katie Gaudreau’s veil featured custom messages in her brothers’ handwriting.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • The excitement over Tesla’s robotaxi launch is subsiding as fewer social media videos are posted.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 2 July 2025
  • Investors have cheered as stocks have swiftly recovered to fresh highs and volatility has subsided.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • It was followed by a video of casket being lowered into the ground.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • That means planning practices for the flag and casket teams for the July 11 funeral and standing guard by Corder's body.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The hospital had run out of white shrouds to cover the deceased.
    Anas Baba, NPR, 6 July 2025
  • Two of Harold’s three wives were there, his grown children, a handful of friends and colleagues: whoever could make it so far, in such haste, to see Harold put to rest in his shroud.
    Nicole Krauss, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • The best wrinkle creams on Amazon prove that drugstore prices don't diminish efficacy.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 July 2025
  • The Commanders’ potential move back to D.C. would also pull the team out of Landover, further diminishing Maryland’s stake in professional sports and federal investments.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • This is the third tomb found at Caracol that dates back to around A.D. 350.
    Kerry Breen July 10, CBS News, 10 July 2025
  • Discovered in 1902, his bones were sealed inside a ceramic vessel placed in a rock-cut tomb in Nuwayrat, an archaeological site located about 170 miles south of Cairo.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pall. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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