lush 1 of 2

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as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously lush dandelions had turned the meadow into a sea of yellow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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lush

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lush distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lush are exuberant, lavish, luxuriant, prodigal, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When would exuberant be a good substitute for lush?

The words exuberant and lush can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When is lavish a more appropriate choice than lush?

The meanings of lavish and lush largely overlap; however, lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When is it sensible to use luxuriant instead of lush?

The words luxuriant and lush are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When could prodigal be used to replace lush?

In some situations, the words prodigal and lush are roughly equivalent. However, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When can profuse be used instead of lush?

Although the words profuse and lush have much in common, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

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 lush
Adjective
The ballroom was filled with lush white florals from The Botanical Box, which were accented with fresh greenery. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 30 June 2025 The summer began at the center’s lush Waterford location in mid-June with the annual National Puppetry Conference and ends on July 26 with the Farewell Variety Show that caps off the Cabaret & Performing Conference. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
Noun
Bell's Brewery has big plans for 2023: 5 top takeaways WeldWerks opened in Greeley in 2015 and quickly became a cult favorite in a state lush with craft beer. Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2023 In West Long Beach, Ms. Hollins has lived and worked for the past 30 years out of her one-story ranch house, set on a property lush with trees, native plants and shrubbery. Eileen Guo, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for lush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lush
Adjective
  • For the first installment, U.S. photographer Alec Soth shot the lush green scenery and karst limestone mountains near the Li river in Guilin.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
  • The section behind the goal nearest Charlotte’s skyline was packed with waving green and red flags, drums and nonstop chants.
    Shane Connuck June 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The speculation was rampant all around the league when news of James’ decision broke, with rival executives wondering if this was a precursor to a trade request (James, remember, has a no-trade clause and could thus control any such move).
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 30 June 2025
  • The rampant abuse of 9-year-old Owen started as early as June 2023 and continued up until his death Sept. 19, 2024 when police were called to the home for an unresponsive child, prosecutors said.
    Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Coupled with a healthy diet and lifestyle, these delicious drinks can keep your gut happy, balanced, and thriving.
    Lauren Manaker MS, Health, 23 June 2025
  • Roasting them low and slow in a preheated oven, or cooking them slowly in a slow cooker, smoker, or sous vide before finishing on the grill or under the broiler, can all yield tender, delicious results.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The food industry has a lot riding on, and even more to gain from, adopting practices that help stabilize the climate and support thriving ecosystems.
    Mindy Lubber, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Whatever happens, Chicago needs a thriving and affordable ride-share sector — ride-share is part of our transit ecosystem.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Your sensual pleasure and romantic desires will never be the same again once Uranus enters mutable Gemini on July 7.
    Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
  • Misner’s sensual signature look speaks in service to the contours of the body, using draping techniques to extend and celebrate curves.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • So the human quest for fertilizer—substances to make the soil fertile—followed fast on the heels of agriculture itself.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 29 June 2025
  • In the Veneto region, vineyards stretch across gravelly river plains and fertile plains near the Adriatic Sea.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Pete’s brother, a former hockey player who misses his glory days, is an alcoholic who cares for the family’s large mink farm.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
  • When Moynihan was 10, his father, an alcoholic, abandoned them to move to California.
    Augustine Sedgewick, Time, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Amid the frenzied party — which included Sam Reinhart climbing a stripper pole, Brad Marchand crowd surfing and, yes, plenty of booze flowing — a key player might have revealed big news regarding his future with the team.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
  • The booze was part of it, a likely symptom at first, and later a cause.
    Mark Kriegel June 4, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lush. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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