luminesce

verb

Definition of luminescenext
as in to glow

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 luminesce Music has charms that teem our tongues, course through our pens and luminesce up on our screens. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminesce
  1. glow
  2. shimmer
  3. glisten
  4. gleam
  5. beam
  6. glitter
  7. glimmer
  8. shine
Verb
  • Matalyn Chitwood graduated from Spring Hill High School in 2023 with a glowing report card.
    — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • When entertaining, the formal dining room—glowing in gold—can seat up to 20 at a custom Brazilian onyx table.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Built around shimmering guitars and an unexpectedly propulsive rhythmic backbone, the track balances DIIV’s familiar haze with an anthemic immediacy.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Under the warm backstage lighting, the gown took on a deeper, golden hue, showcasing the shimmering fabric and metallic undertones.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of shimmer
Verb
  • The lights from the neighborhood condos glistened on the water.
    — Téa Mutonji, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Finally, the six-point bull climbed out and walked off, with a fresh coat of mud glistening on his hide.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of glisten
Verb
  • Bally’s intends to fulfill its obligations under the host agreement, according to sources, including the buildout of the gleaming 34-story hotel, which has already risen up to full height along the Chicago River at the future casino site.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Gritting her teeth in the final few hundred meters, the Polish rider dug deep and with the sun gleaming behind her, raised her arms after crossing the line.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of gleam
Verb
  • In September 2025, Kotb beamed from ear to ear on Haley Joy and Hope’s first days of third and first grade, respectively.
    — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier this year, another research team took a big step toward real-world use by improving the laser power-beaming system.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of beam
Verb
  • The Swedish pop icon returned to her homeland for the Way Out West music festival in Gothenburg and paid homage to Scandinavia and the northern lights with her signature colorful, glittering makeup, crafted by makeup artist Sophia Sinot.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Rolling Stones frontman busts a move in a new video beneath a glittering disco ball.
    — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of glitter
Verb
  • The experience of eating it is even more shocking … the electric crunch of passionfruit seeds giving way to exploding citrus vesicles, glimmering like wayward teardrop gems … and … was that a dehydrated banana?
    — Cooking Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Gomez glimmered in a gold gown by Oscar de la Renta and matching gold high heels, as first revealed by her hairstylist, Renato Campora, on Instagram.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of glimmer
Verb
  • When the moon starts to cross in front of the sun, the star’s rays will shine around valleys on the moon’s horizon, creating glowing drops of light around the moon called Baily’s beads.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • In a matchup between struggling lineups, both starting pitchers shined.
    — CBS New York Team, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of shine

Browse Nearby Words

luminary
luminesce
luminesced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Luminesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminesce. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All