Loses color

PALES

Think of what happens to someone’s complexion when they’re startled or frightened. This five-letter word also describes fading in intensity, like a bright light dimming.

Pales" fits because it directly means to lose color or become less vibrant, like when something fades. The word also works as a verb—think of how a face might pale when someone is shocked or sick. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden wordplay, just a clear match for the idea of color draining away.