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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective luminous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of luminous are bright, brilliant, lustrous, and radiant. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When is it sensible to use bright instead of luminous?

In some situations, the words bright and luminous are roughly equivalent. However, bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When is brilliant a more appropriate choice than luminous?

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

When can lustrous be used instead of luminous?

While the synonyms lustrous and luminous are close in meaning, lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

In what contexts can radiant take the place of luminous?

The words radiant and luminous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

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 luminous So give War of the Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves credit for finding his own way into Gotham’s luminous gloom, presenting us with a young-ish Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) who’s still relatively new at being Batman, still making mistakes while honing his skill at crime-fighting. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025 As Ayers explained, sprites are what scientists refer to as transient luminous events (TLEs) that happen above the clouds during periods of intense electrical activity, like lightning. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 July 2025 Their ray of hope comes with convincing a reluctant former bobsled medalist (a luminous John Candy, in what would be one of his last onscreen performances) to train them, and obligatory hijinks, setbacks, and triumphs ensue. Sophie Van Bastelaer, EW.com, 7 July 2025 No white cast, no excessive rubbing—just luminous skin that’s shielded by SPF45 protection. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for luminous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminous
Adjective
  • The moon after dark, large and low, brilliant as a star, its light reflecting in our eyes, turning our pupils silver, bright and glowing.
    Ekow Eshun July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
  • Trump, though, gave Duffy a glowing vote of confidence when announcing his new appointment.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Straight out of the Chris Jones playbook, Banks uses his length to create movement, and his effort from the backside is outstanding.
    Dane Brugler, New York Times, 22 July 2025
  • The film had an outstanding run at the box office, opening with a record-breaking $183 million Memorial Day weekend debut.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • The public display hit televisions and phone screens across the country and was an unmistakable signal that the Trump administration was not done flexing its political muscle in California.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025
  • Dignity Through Every Stage Of Life The shift in conversation is unmistakable.
    Karen Fonseth, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Attendees rode in support of and alongside community member Eva Zamora, who is a shining example of how to live your best life with Parkinson’s disease and takes cycle classes at EōS regularly, a news release stated.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Her next shining moment comes when two young sisters enter the hospital.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Bruce Yandle is a distinguished adjunct fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and former executive director of the Federal Trade Commission.
    Bruce Yandle, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • Only the day before, the distinguished British medical journal the Lancet published a study warning about the potential consequences now looming.
    Butch Meily, Fortune, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • But a sharp turn straight into country seems like far too obvious a path for a singer-songwriter who has quietly done her own thing.
    Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
  • And then there are the descriptions of the additional terms, which may not be obvious.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Decades later, in 2019, Irishman Shane Lowry—buoyed by a dazzling third-round 63—won his first major in runaway fashion on these same dunes, igniting a raucous celebration across the island.
    Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • With high level visuals being a key characteristics of both Insomniac and Tomorrowland events, the production for UNITY is highly anticipated and expected to be similarly dazzling.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • In spite of difficulties at the festival, Dulac was able to lure prestigious guests to the event over the years, notably Keanu Reeves, Donald Sutherland, Agnès Varda, Brady Corbet, Ari Aster, Lily Gladstone, Joel Edgerton, Ira Sachs and Ben Winshaw.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 July 2025
  • Stanford has no natural ties to the ACC, and life is a lot harder now for the prestigious academic institution because of name, image and likeness, revenue sharing and the transfer portal.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Luminous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminous. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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