lush 1 of 2

Definition of lushnext
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as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously lush dandelions had turned the meadow into a sea of yellow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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lush

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lush distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lush are exuberant, lavish, luxuriant, prodigal, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When would exuberant be a good substitute for lush?

The words exuberant and lush can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When is lavish a more appropriate choice than lush?

The meanings of lavish and lush largely overlap; however, lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When is it sensible to use luxuriant instead of lush?

The words luxuriant and lush are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When could prodigal be used to replace lush?

In some situations, the words prodigal and lush are roughly equivalent. However, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When can profuse be used instead of lush?

Although the words profuse and lush have much in common, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

How is the word lush distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lush are exuberant, lavish, luxuriant, prodigal, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When would exuberant be a good substitute for lush?

The words exuberant and lush can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When is lavish a more appropriate choice than lush?

The meanings of lavish and lush largely overlap; however, lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When is it sensible to use luxuriant instead of lush?

The words luxuriant and lush are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When could prodigal be used to replace lush?

In some situations, the words prodigal and lush are roughly equivalent. However, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When can profuse be used instead of lush?

Although the words profuse and lush have much in common, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

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 lush
Adjective
This emerald-green grass is a lush outdoor carpet that has become the platonic ideal of an American lawn. Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026 The lush green of Augusta helps those of us in cooler climates at least feel the idea of the summer sun. Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
The key moment in the film is a montage of the lovers absconding to Chris’s Malibu getaway for a trip that’s ridiculously, car-commercial lush. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024 Verdict: Mulligan’s kooky cameo imbues this tragic lush with a dash of camp. Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for lush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lush
Adjective
  • The celebrated restaurant in the Roma Norte neighborhood is most famous for its whole red snapper painted in vibrant swaths of red chile and green parsley sauces, but the menu is filled with must-try seafood (like the impeccable tuna tostadas).
    Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The event sees a weekly gathering of volunteers who analyze monthly field data on green sea turtles seen in the San Gabriel River.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet for decades, this strategically important industry has been undermined by rampant customs fraud and chronic underinvestment in trade enforcement.
    Kim Glas, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Despite rampant speculation about what might happen if two Republicans advance to the general election, Guerra said the odds of Democrats being locked out of the race are, in reality, slim.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The parathas, as the savory flatbreads are called, stuffed with onion and paneer and coated with a generous amount of butter, are as delicious as ever.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
  • This simple combination of strawberries, lemon, basil, and sugar is the key to so many fruit-forward desserts, but the sweet mixture is just as delicious when enjoyed on its own.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Donaldsonville was located in the center of the state’s thriving sugar industry, which was rife with planters growing wealthy on the labor of the enslaved.
    Brenda Wineapple, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The plan was to turn it into a thriving space and science center, but those plans were soon derailed.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Ozon’s black-and-white version sticks closely to the story but dispenses with much of the narration to focus on the sensual streets of colonial Algeria.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
  • This Earth sign is sensual, grounded and deeply connected to the physical world.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This hybridization resulted in Bradford producing fertile fruit through cross-pollination from other cultivars.
    Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The rolling hills near Nebo, Illinois, contain more than 1,200 acres of fertile mushroom ground.
    Midwest Living, Midwest Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Each one is thoughtfully crafted with its alcoholic sibling in mind, so the notes and flavors felt more like siblings than distant cousins.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The whisky priest, an alcoholic who has broken most of his vows, is the sole remaining active priest in the state.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Lavery also fined Roberts $1,000 and ordered him not drink alcohol, enter a bar or liquor store, nor hunt or fish while on probation.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • In 2006, the city of Seattle passed an ordinance designating two core areas of the city as Alcohol Impact Areas, where the sale of 34 brands of high-alcohol content, low-price beer and wine products were banned.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lush. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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