plastic

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective plastic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plastic are adaptable, ductile, malleable, pliable, and pliant. While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

In what contexts can adaptable take the place of plastic?

While in some cases nearly identical to plastic, adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

When can ductile be used instead of plastic?

The words ductile and plastic can be used in similar contexts, but ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

When is it sensible to use malleable instead of plastic?

Although the words malleable and plastic have much in common, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

When would pliable be a good substitute for plastic?

The meanings of pliable and plastic largely overlap; however, pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

When might pliant be a better fit than plastic?

The words pliant and plastic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

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 plastic What to look for in a quality disc golf set Discs vary in their plastic quality and appearance, and each brand has its own line of plastics and selection of disc molds. Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025 So, plastic pyrolysis could help handle the waste from consumer products such as plastic bags, bottles, milk jugs, packaging materials, wet wipes and even discarded children’s toys. Alexander Kaplitz, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025 There was also a second cleaner, who swept away the plastic bottles, wrappers, empty juice containers, plates of food, and other garbage that the passengers tossed on the floor. Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025 Beyond this study, previous research has found miniscule plastic particles in every single type of human tissue tested, with other papers linking these microplastics to everything from brain inflammation to low male fertility. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plastic
Adjective
  • Summary Cholesterol is a waxy substance that every cell in the body needs to function.
    Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The palate features sweet lemon cream, waxy candy, and vanilla almond cake—a round, creamy vodka with great texture and length for all applications.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This is the version (1.0) version of his mock draft, and there could easily be revisions made necessary by trades, medical history and players rising and falling.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
  • One surprising faller in the latest mock draft from Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report is top tight end prospect Tyler Warren.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The conference illuminated the increasingly strained relationship between Israel and its traditional allies in the West, which have grown uneasy with Israeli politics and the direction of the country’s devastating war in Gaza.
    Julia Frankel and Leo Correa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Customer calls have surged, the Washington Post reported Tuesday, prompting long wait times for callers dialing into strained offices, where employees have few answers to give on recent changes.
    Avery Lotz, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Multimodal Metropolis addresses these concerns by integrating intelligent, adaptable solutions into core infrastructure.
    Cathy Hackl, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • With its retractable roof, configurable seating and adaptable pitch – which will be stored in the neighboring mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen when not in use – the stadium can accommodate a wide range of sports and entertainment events.
    Andrew McNicol, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • At times, these characters surrounded by the green and gold blur of jungle and sunshine almost look fake, or as if they’re being shot in a studio.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The goal of creating a convincing but fake person is at the core of A.I.’s origin story.
    Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The implication is that individuals need to examine their consumption choices while recognizing that some choices are more malleable (Dietz et al.
    Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • All of the still image color profiles are available for movies, plus a flat L-Log look with lower contrast and saturation that provides a neutral starting point for more malleable color grading in the editing room.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • To such animals, friendship is utterly unnatural, entirely a product of will.
    Ann Hulbert, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The phrase has been heard more and more this century as states reveal themselves to be less than resilient in the face of natural and unnatural disasters.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • On Facebook, the city government shared images of cracks in the walls of the lazy river, rust in the mechanical room and chipping concrete on a pedestrian bridge.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plastic. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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