Synonym Chooser

How is the word luxurious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of luxurious are sensual, sensuous, and voluptuous. While all these words mean "relating to or providing pleasure through gratification of the senses," luxurious suggests the indulgence of sensuous pleasure inducing bodily ease and languor.

a luxurious hotel

When is it sensible to use sensual instead of luxurious?

The synonyms sensual and luxurious are sometimes interchangeable, but sensual tends to imply the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of the physical appetites as ends in themselves.

a life devoted to sensual pleasures

When is sensuous a more appropriate choice than luxurious?

In some situations, the words sensuous and luxurious are roughly equivalent. However, sensuous implies gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure.

the sensuous delights of great music

When might voluptuous be a better fit than luxurious?

The meanings of voluptuous and luxurious largely overlap; however, voluptuous implies more strongly an abandonment especially to sensual pleasure.

a voluptuous feast

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 luxurious While it’s crafted with 100 percent polyester, shoppers rave about the feeling of the material, with some even comparing it to more luxurious fabrics. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025 For those who have weddings, consider this luxurious gown that comes with flattering ruching details and a drapey base. Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 The lower level features luxurious amenities, including a gym and sauna, a movie theater drenched in black paint, a catering kitchen, and a wine cellar. India Roby, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025 In Kill Jackie, Zeta-Jones is Jackie Price, who has been living a wealthy, luxurious existence for the last 20 years — traveling the world, selling fine art using sophisticated tax loopholes and, above all, trying to stay anonymous after escaping a dangerous past as an international cocaine dealer. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for luxurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luxurious
Adjective
  • High-end luxury prices start at nearly five times that price, while ultra-luxury surge to more than 12 times the typical home price.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Fisker, 62, is best known for designing ultra-luxury cars for BMW, Ford, Tesla, and Aston Martin before starting Fisker Automotive in 2007.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While on The Tonight Show, Swift appeared shy when discussing the song’s lyrics, ducking her head down as the house band the Roots began playing a sensual tune.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Bieber’s iteration on the trend elevated the style to a cheeky, high-fashion moment with feminine touches and sensual edge.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rush just released the 50-track super deluxe anthology RUSH 50, which runs from the first-ever reissue of their 1973 debut single through a live recording of the final song Lee, Lifeson and Peart played together during the R40 tour closer at the Forum.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Go back to the days of acoustic or deluxe CDs and regular and signed and call it a day.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Like that Lena Dunham series but with a decidedly more hedonistic spin given this first footage, the series centers on a friend group navigating relationships, career, success, and party-going.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Frida’s terminally ill mom, Victoria (Montse Guallar), escapes into a hedonistic haze of morphine, imperious behavior, and pansexual dalliances.
    Judy Berman, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • An informal cut, perhaps, though the top’s material — a luxuriant silk crepe — helped elevate the look.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Beyond it is a three-hectare haven of silvery olive trees, luxuriant Washingtonia palms, and lawns where peacocks wander freely.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The science, literature and economics prizes are presented to the laureates by the Swedish king at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, followed by a lavish banquet at city hall.
    USA Today, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Liz and Dick fell in love on the set of Cleopatra, the ridiculously expensive and lavish epic love story of the ancient Egyptian queen and the Roman general Mark Antony.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This Amazon tiny home also has major curb appeal with the beautiful full-glass doors and entry.
    Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Beloved by coffee snobs and design aficionados alike, the Alessi stovetop coffee maker blends high-quality brewing with a form that is beautiful enough to leave out all day long.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2004, Luhrmann directed Kidman in a Chanel ad that was as sumptuous as one of his red curtain movies.
    Wendell Steavenson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The Addiction, which also stars Ferrara fave Christopher Walken, benefits from low-budget grit, as it's populated with the authentic Manhattan characters and locations that one associates with Ferrara's best work and lensed by Ken Kelsch in sumptuous black and white.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Luxurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luxurious. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

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