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 In the series of sizzling snaps, the Brazilian supermodel posed on a luxurious beach, putting her toned physique on full display. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025 Even a small patch of grass looks more luxurious when it's properly edged. Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025 Their genre-blending sound laid the foundation for future music icons, influencing everyone from Jimi Hendrix (who once played guitar for them) to The Notorious B.I.G. But just as impactful as their sound was their style: bold, luxurious, and unapologetically Black. Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 5 June 2025 These Egyptian cotton sheets are both durable and luxurious. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for luxurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luxurious
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
  • While the singer's latest full-length continues to appear on a handful of album charts in the United Kingdom, none of the tunes pushed from the project — or its deluxe edition follow-up, Brighter Days Ahead — are still present.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • There are three complete shows in the deluxe version, as well as tracks from warm-up club dates and soundboard highlights from various live dates.
    Joe Gross, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ditto his distinctive appearance, trumped only by a persuasive smile that conveyed an innocence and friendliness somewhat at odds with his braggadocio tales and hedonistic tendencies.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • Melancholy, mischievous, weighty and hedonistic at once, Jis and his existentialist musings formed an entire universe that acted as a refuge for the weary and delightfully depraved.
    Holly Jones, Variety, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Peak wildflower season in the high alpine environment is likely about a month away, but wildflowers at lower elevations in the high country are popping amid luxuriant green meadows and aspen trees aglow with brilliant chartreuse leaves.
    John Meyer, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
  • These showy shrubs are bursting with personality—from fabulous texture-rich foliage to luxuriant blooms.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • The lavish Venice wedding of Jeff Bezos, the fourth-richest person in the world, is set to take place the same weekend as Squid Game Season 3’s release on Netflix.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 27 June 2025
  • The fourth-richest person in the world is set to have a lavish wedding in the Italian city, an event that has caused consternation online and in Venice.
    James Powel, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The job was to find a photographer or find a model, pack a trunk of clothes and flit off to St. Moritz for a week and take beautiful pictures and come back.
    A Martínez, NPR, 27 June 2025
  • The beautiful game has all too often been marred by unsavory incidents of bigotry.
    Hannah Ryan, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Chris Richards, above, got the only goal, but the power behind it belonged to Sebastian Berhalter’s sumptuous (and very awkward to defend) delivery.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • This is a show that could have told us a really lush and sumptuous story of that era that actually took up Twain and Warner’s satirical ideas.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Luxurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luxurious. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on luxurious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!