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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 The satin cream gives a dewy flush, the luminous balm amps up glow, and the velvet powder diffuses everything into a soft blur. Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 3 July 2025 This is coupled with the increase in solar luminosity as the sun brightens with age (in just over a billion years' time the sun will be too luminous and hot for life on Earth to survive). Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 July 2025 Glowing collarbones, shimmering shoulders, and luminous legs are all part of the summer story. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 27 June 2025 The color in the glass is a delicate but luminous pale pink, with reflections reminiscent of rose petals or light salmon. Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for luminous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminous
Adjective
  • The incoming and outgoing CEOs both had glowing words for each other on Tuesday.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 18 June 2025
  • Keeping skin soft, smooth, glowing—and protected against UV rays—should be at the top of your summer priority list.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • But Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee left a hearing Wednesday with outstanding questions that could take lawmakers months to answer — if not longer.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 10 July 2025
  • Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe left frustrated Vinicius Jr had been looking to shine again in the U.S., yet the Brazilian departed with just one goal and one assist to his name from six games, with both his contributions coming in his outstanding performance against Salzburg.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • So now, many Mexicans and Mexican Americans are choosing to be seen in the loudest, most unmistakable way: by wearing their culture on their sleeves—literally.
    Daisy Maldonado, Vogue, 8 July 2025
  • The display of might outside was unmistakable, as was the soft power inside the building.
    Andrew J. Campa Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
  • Consolidation by the end of the decade The future of other brands is less obvious, but consolidation among the mainstream brands is likely before the end of the decade.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • But for me, the biggest thing is the collaborations, which are so obvious.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Music City is gearing up to celebrate Independence Day with another dazzling fireworks display and concert.
    Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
  • The Fourth of July, also referred to as Independence Day, has been celebrated across the United States since 1776 — and nearly 250 years later, big cities, small towns, counties and states alike continue to cap off the night with dazzling displays of fireworks.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Luminous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminous. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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