as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light
the exceptional effulgence of the harvest moon is always a striking sight
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Recent Examples of effulgence
Though the Star of Bethlehem has sunk, yet its sacred effulgence beams forth periodically, again and again, and a universe is filled with joy in honor of the Great Redeemer.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
Maggie Rogers paired her of-the-moment shag with natural notes—bare skin, freckles, grass—as elsewhere, Elle Fanning enjoyed the lit effects of golden hour, which took her complexion and blanched blonde to new levels of effulgence.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 10 July 2022
Absent from Van Noten’s three-decade career are stories of bankruptcy, strife, irresponsibility, overleverage, overexpansion, overspending or unhinged, dangerous effulgence.
—Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2017
Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
Maggie Rogers paired her of-the-moment shag with natural notes—bare skin, freckles, grass—as elsewhere, Elle Fanning enjoyed the lit effects of golden hour, which took her complexion and blanched blonde to new levels of effulgence.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 10 July 2022
Absent from Van Noten’s three-decade career are stories of bankruptcy, strife, irresponsibility, overleverage, overexpansion, overspending or unhinged, dangerous effulgence.
—Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effulgence
Noun
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Typical brightness reaches 1,800 nits, and peak brightness hits 2,500 nits.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
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This wine is co-fermented with Cabernet Franc, which adds an extra layer of brightness and earthiness in the mid-palate.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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So, astronomers have come up with a compromise regarding the geometry of the sun's illumination angle on Venus' disk versus its distance from Earth to determine the time of Venus' greatest brilliancy.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Family circles will have wrapped themselves in the holy pleasures of the great occasion, and everywhere the grand old holiday will have been introduced with all the majesty and brilliancy which clings around the hallowed name of Christmas.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The brilliance of saying that this was a collective — the group was going to go their own ways and extend the legacy of Wu-Tang Clan while never completely separating from it.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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The best track on Trying Times channels the nervy brilliance of 2023’s Playing Robots Into Heaven, which dug into his dance music past without resorting to nostalgia.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Recent mill collections have highlighted the diverse aesthetics these fibers can bring to denim—some introduce a subtle texture or lightness, while others enhance the fabric with distinctive tactile effects.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Mar. 2026
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The ankle-revealing design adds lightness to any look, which is ideal for midi-skirts in soft colors, airy materials, pleats, or other delicate details.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Effulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effulgence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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