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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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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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
Its luminous glow is also fitting, given its symbolism as the planet associated with love and beauty.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
Depending on the light, the surface seems to shift, at times appearing almost luminous, at others dissolving into shadow.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The northern lights are a luminous glow seen around the magnetic poles of the Northern and Southern hemispheres, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
This collagen cream can help even out dark spots and smooth your skin for a healthy, luminous complexion.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for luminous
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
Depending on the light, the surface seems to shift, at times appearing almost luminous, at others dissolving into shadow.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The northern lights are a luminous glow seen around the magnetic poles of the Northern and Southern hemispheres, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
This collagen cream can help even out dark spots and smooth your skin for a healthy, luminous complexion.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 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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Matt Riddle, who competed in two WrestleManias, is one of many outstanding talents heading to Las Vegas during WrestleMania Week in April to headline two shows from two top indie promotions from South Florida, both companies making their Sin City debuts.—
James Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
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Her second victory, alongside additional nominations as a producer for outstanding drama series, also made her the youngest woman nominated for producing at the Emmys, as well as the youngest two-time lead acting nominee.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Bambaataa's sudden death was met with an outpouring of condolences from friends, family and fans across the world, who paid tribute to his profound and unmistakable impact on one of the world's most popular and politically influential music genres.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Cunningham’s Fisher-Price pianos and decrepit drums are unmistakable, as is Ciani’s Buchla, which whooshes and rattles like a steam engine barreling down the tracks.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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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Pucker is a prominent collector and philanthropist in the Windy City, and is part of the Pritzker family, who created the Pritzker Prize, the most distinguished honor for architects.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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There have been five others since the mid-1800s in that area, noted Gary Griggs, a distinguished professor of Earth Sciences at UC Santa Cruz.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Make kind choices and keep boundaries obvious.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
-
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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His skating was dazzling throughout the evening, and his chemistry with Rickard Rakell is clear.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
There's a dazzling cigar lounge and bar, both conceived by none other than hotel designer of the moment, Martin Brudnizki (of Annabel’s; Fouquets; and Fifth Avenue Hotel fame); a sleek omakase restaurant; and even a 4,000-year-old fossil parked unassumingly outside a set of toilets (not kidding).—
Divia Thani,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Partly that’s due to recently winning the Lasker Award, considered the most prestigious honor in medical research, but also because there’s just enough distance from the drugs his research helped produce to want to put words to the arc.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
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The prestigious honor recognizes companies who have regularly supplied goods to the British royal family.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Luminous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminous. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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