1
as in glowing
giving off or reflecting much light
the luminous moon bathed the snow-covered fields with a pearly glow
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement
some of the most luminous writers in the nation's history have graced that magazine's pages
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unmistakable
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
an author with a simple, luminous prose style that is free of affectation and pretention
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of luminous
For more than 21 years the Earth-orbiting telescope has surveyed the sky for gamma-ray bursts—the most powerful and luminous explosions in the universe—and whipped around to take a closer look.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
The resulting works were breathtaking, immersing the viewer in luminous veils of paint that swept across the canvas, seeming to splash back up from the bottom, creating an enveloping sense of tranquility and awe that pushed against the jittery energy of Abstract Expressionism.
—News Desk, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Twentieth century painter Agnes Pelton created luminous abstractions in nearby Cathedral City, while assemblage artist Noah Purifoy spent the final decade of his life building the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum of Assemblage Art in Joshua Tree.
—Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the LRDs are cooler and more luminous than our current SMS models predict.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for luminous
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
The resulting works were breathtaking, immersing the viewer in luminous veils of paint that swept across the canvas, seeming to splash back up from the bottom, creating an enveloping sense of tranquility and awe that pushed against the jittery energy of Abstract Expressionism.
—News Desk, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Twentieth century painter Agnes Pelton created luminous abstractions in nearby Cathedral City, while assemblage artist Noah Purifoy spent the final decade of his life building the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum of Assemblage Art in Joshua Tree.
—Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the LRDs are cooler and more luminous than our current SMS models predict.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for luminous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminous
Adjective
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At this point, my relationship with glowing rectangles is stronger than most of my Hinge dates.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The glowing hose creates a visible path that helps rescuers navigate thick smoke and find their way back to safety.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The show won nine Emmys during its run, including an outstanding comedy series win and an outstanding lead actress award for O’Hara, both in 2020.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 Apr. 2026
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The special coins recognize those over the age of 70 for outstanding service to their communities, and the number of recipients matches the age of the monarch.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The whiff stench of insider trading is unmistakable.—
Nic Puckrin,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The confidence is unmistakable.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So naturally in a state that treats basketball like a religion and the sport’s biggest stars like royalty, nobody casts a bigger shadow in this community now than the slender 6-foot-6, 196-pound, 19-year-old freshman who changed Final Four weekend with one brilliant shining moment Sunday afternoon.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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At a time of so much partisanship in Congress, especially related to health care, breakthrough legislation is a shining example of how commonsense policies that support patient care and innovation can achieve broad support.—
Josh Makower,
STAT,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Saudi Arabia is using its East-West pipeline, which stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, to transfer about 5 million barrels per day out of the Gulf, said Michael Lynch, distinguished fellow at Energy Policy Research Foundation, a non-partisan institution focused on energy and economics.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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Advertisement Curtis Bradley, a distinguished service professor of law at the University of Chicago, told TIME that there is, at least, some precedent, citing President Jimmy Carter's withdrawal from a mutual defense treaty with Taiwan in 1978, which was formalized in 1980.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Another obvious, simple solution is just to chill out.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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One obvious example is the use of modular, prefabricated components to quickly and relatively cheaply build housing.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Currently, the planet appears practically full (93% sunlit); a tiny, dazzling gibbous disk.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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Even though many of Meghan's recent appearances have shown off her gorgeous casual style, her red carpet appearances are still just as dazzling.—
Katherine J Igoe,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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He is also given the opportunity to return to his former employer, the prestigious hedge fund Bailey Russell.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
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But in the championship game of the prestigious city tournament that January, Davis entered the game and took four charges.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Luminous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminous. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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