Synonyms of radiant

radiant

adjective

ˈrā-dē-ənt 

1

as in bright

having or being an outward sign of good feelings (as of love, confidence, or happiness)

she left the interview with a radiant smile on her face, confident she had gotten the job

a radiant bride

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bright
• glowing
• smiling
• sunny
• cheerful
• gleaming
• dazzling
• joyful
• beaming
• shining
• luminous
• aglow
• laughing
• merry
• happy
• brilliant
• satisfied
• effulgent
• delighted
• starry
• optimistic
• blissful
• refulgent
• cheery
• mirthful
• chipper
• upbeat
• jovial
• pleased
• blithe
• joyous
• rosy
• gladsome
• gay
• thankful
• lightsome
• blooming
• blithesome
• jocund
• gratified
• chuffed
• tickled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stoic
• listless
• flat
• blank
• unemotional
• black
• dark
• gray
• melancholy
• sullen
• gloomy
• glum
• dismal
• depressing
• glaring
• darkening
• frowning
• lowering
• glowering
• scowling

2

as in luminous

giving off or reflecting much light

from the plane we could see the statehouse's radiant gold dome

Synonyms & Similar Words

• luminous
• glowing
• shining
• dazzling
• bright
• shiny
• gleaming
• shimmering
• brilliant
• effulgent
• refulgent
• incandescent
• lustrous
• sparkling
• flickering
• flashing
• lambent
• blazing
• beaming
• lucent
• glittering
• glistening
• splendid
• lucid
• fulgent
• clear
• candescent
• burning
• fiery
• polished
• blinding
• flaming
• bedazzling
• shined
• sheeny
• sunny
• ardent
• twinkling
• shimmery
• glancing
• glaring
• scintillant
• scintillating
• winking
• red-hot
• burnished
• flaring
• gemmy
• glimmering
• aglitter
• glinting
• combusting
• glistering
• agleam
• ablaze
• coruscant
• ultrabright
• superbright

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dim
• dull
• dark
• dusky
• blackened
• lackluster
• darkened
• gloomy
• somber
• obscure
• darkling
• darkish
• pitch-black
• dimmed
• unlit
• lightless
• obscured
• pitch-dark
• cloudy
• darksome
• shadowy
• murky
• pale
• gray
• unbright
• unbrilliant
• shady
• sunless
• tenebrous
• leaden
• shadowlike
• palish

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective radiant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of radiant are bright, brilliant, luminous, and lustrous. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

In what contexts can bright take the place of radiant?

The words bright and radiant can be used in similar contexts, but bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When is it sensible to use brilliant instead of radiant?

Although the words brilliant and radiant have much in common, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

When can luminous be used instead of radiant?

While in some cases nearly identical to radiant, luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When would lustrous be a good substitute for radiant?

The meanings of lustrous and radiant largely overlap; however, lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of radiant

There is a dollar amount that could convince any five-star to move to the radiant city of Sacramento. —Jason Kirk, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026

There is also radiant heating throughout, as well as a subterranean six-car garage with EV charging and additional parking for up to 20 vehicles. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2026

Metal roofing, stone and stucco exteriors and radiant heating are intended to keep maintenance low and comfort high over time. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026

Excellent for seeding under trees, golden Alexander delights with glossy, deep cut foliage and radiant yellow umbels in spring. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026