incandescent

adjective

ˌin-kən-ˈde-sᵊnt How to pronounce incandescent (audio)
Definition of incandescentnext
1
as in luminous
giving off or reflecting much light sitting in darkness, except for the incandescent coals of our campfire

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passionate
having or expressing great depth of feeling a speaker incandescent with righteous anger over the treatment of the refugees

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 incandescent The process is arduous, spanning days or weeks of boiling and soaking in syrup, but when sugar properly penetrates fruit’s cellular structure, not only does the appearance become almost incandescent, but the microbes that cause spoilage can’t survive. — Hannah Walhout, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Feb. 2026 Philip Jones Griffiths, veteran of the Vietnam War, was incandescent. — Robin Muir, Vogue, 18 Jan. 2026 The game-winner was Miller’s first made 3-pointer of the night after missing his first five attempts — a cold shooter who chose the most incandescent moment possible to find his range. — Denny Alfonso, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Suddenly, pain radiates through its flank, an incandescent light flashes through its nerves, and a warm liquid fills its mouth. — Literary Hub, 4 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incandescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incandescent
  1. luminous
  2. passionate
  3. glowing
  4. warm
  5. shining
  6. passional
  7. dazzling
  8. fervent
Adjective
  • This sort of event is also seen in the super-luminous supernova population.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • An exuberant pre-dawn sky — filled with large, bright stars, a luminous crescent moon, and blue and white swirls — dominates the landscape featuring a prominent cypress tree and distant hillside village.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of luminous
Adjective
  • The colors are dour and muted, and the yearnings of the two elder Dashwood sisters—the self-abnegating Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and the passionate Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles, a gimlet-eyed standout)—often play out in drearily candlelit rooms.
    — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Bulgari staff is notably passionate about this garden and volunteers there on a regular basis.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of passionate
Adjective
  • After preparing the skin with Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir and Magic Cream, Giannetos created a glowing base using Airbrush Flawless Foundation, Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer, and the Hollywood Contour Wand.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Lumbering wooden doors are pivoted open to reveal the breezy hotel lobby and create a view with layers of water, first the still ornamental pools, then the main central pool and finally the glowing Caribbean sea.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of glowing
Adjective
  • Grab a pretty blouse and snappy loafers to wear for brunch dates on warmer autumn days, then pair them with a denim jacket and slouchy knee-high boots as the weather gets cooler.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The week will start dry and warmer than normal, but rain chances return Tuesday and could dampen Halloween spirits, with a 40% chance of rain Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • 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
  • Those memories will remain some of the most shining and unforgettable moments of my life.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of shining
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Definition of passional
Adjective
  • Expect a night of dazzling sights, as costumed performers, puppets and floats make their way down Columbus Drive.
    — Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The royal shared a better look at her new dye job later that evening, complementing her summery highlights with a butter yellow Elie Saab cutout cape gown and her dazzling Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of dazzling
Adjective
  • As the night ended with some of the acts’ most fervent fans, the 2026 installment of Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians came to a close.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Strijd’s posts struck a chord online, and ignited interest in the show that did not appear nearly as fervent over the past few weeks.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fervent

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incandescences
incandescent
incandescent lamp
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Cite this Entry

“Incandescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incandescent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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