resplendent

adjective

re·​splen·​dent ri-ˈsplen-dənt How to pronounce resplendent (audio)
: shining brilliantly : characterized by a glowing splendor
meadows resplendent with wildflowersOutdoor World
resplendently adverb

Did you know?

Resplendent has a lot in common with splendid (meaning, among other things, "shining" or "brilliant"), splendent ("shining" or "glossy"), and splendor ("brightness" or "luster"). Each of these glowing terms gets its shine from the Latin verb splendēre ("to shine"). In the case of resplendent, the prefix re- added to splendēre, formed the Latin resplendēre, meaning "to shine back." Splendent, splendor, and resplendent were first used in English during the 15th century, but splendid didn't light up our language until over 175 years later; its earliest known use dates from the early 1600s.

Choose the Right Synonym for resplendent

splendid, resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean extraordinarily or transcendently impressive.

splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.

the wedding was a splendid occasion

resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.

resplendent in her jewelry

gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.

a gorgeous red dress

glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.

a glorious sunset

sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.

a vision of sublime beauty

superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree.

her singing was superb

Examples of resplendent in a Sentence

The fields were resplendent with flowers. She looked resplendent in her green evening gown. a bird with resplendent yellow feathers
Recent Examples on the Web As twilight adorns the sky with its ethereal canvas, the horizon’s resplendent clouds mirror the trilogy of Xiao Xia albums reflecting upon Huang Qishan’s midlife journey. Billboard China, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Getting ready ahead of the premiere of The Greatest Love Story Never Told, J Lo looked resplendent in what we’re called the Muted Mob Wife aesthetic. Georgia Day, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024 Based on the Swedish word for 20, but which also can be Finnish for counting eggs or a musical score, Salonen played with the ordering of 20 chords, turning them into a resplendent phantasmagoric series of dances, fanfares, misty harmonic clouds and melancholic melody. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 While Woods looked resplendent, his game revealed some blemishes. Jay Paris, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 The dining room table is arranged, too, resplendent in gold and silver. By Maria Martin, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2024 Annette Bening, resplendent in jumpsuits and paisley with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth, stands in for Mills' own mother, an artist in '70s Santa Barbara, Calif., who's trying to raise her teenage son Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann) to be a good man. Katie Rife, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023 Her musical film is a literal catalog of love misadventures, resplendent with tales of ex-husbands, Puff Daddy-like characters and boy toys. Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024 Whether or not Barbie was snubbed by the Academy is a matter of opinion; her resplendent triumph at the spring 2024 couture shows is indisputable. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resplendent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin resplendent-, resplendens, present participle of resplendēre to shine back, from re- + splendēre to shine — more at splendid

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of resplendent was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near resplendent

Cite this Entry

“Resplendent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resplendent. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

resplendent

adjective
re·​splen·​dent ri-ˈsplen-dənt How to pronounce resplendent (audio)
: so bright as to seem to glow
fields resplendent with flowers
resplendent in a new red coat
resplendently adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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