luster 1 of 2

noun

ˈlə-stər How to pronounce luster (audio)
variants or lustre
Definition of lusternext
1
as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface the Hope diamond is famous for its brilliant luster

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light on a clear night at sea the stars seem to take on a magical luster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

luster

2 of 2

verb

variants or lustre
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light her pearl necklace lustered softly in the candlelight of the restaurant

Synonyms & Similar 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 luster
Noun
And conservatives say Lamont’s track record loses its luster upon closer inspection. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 The lunar disk will return to its usual silvery luster upon rising higher into the autumn sky, as its light passes through less of Earth's atmosphere. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
Make sure to hand-wash any copper items or other precious metals to keep their shine and luster intact and avoid discoloration or tarnishing. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for luster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luster
  1. gleam
  2. brightness
  3. sparkle
  4. glow
  5. brilliancy
  6. shine
  7. sheen
  8. brilliance
Noun
  • The music resolves and smoke rolls into the gallery before the screen opens up and the real Endeavour gleams in the distance, spotlighted like a mirage in the dark.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The singer-songwriter’s seventh album is their wackiest and funniest to date, with a madcap gleam coursing through its synth-pop portraits of lovable weirdos and suburban dread.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • The screen has ample brightness for sunlit rooms and reasonably vibrant colors.
    — Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The new MacBook Pro’s PROLED XDR touch display is a tandem OLED panel with up to 2,000 nits of brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate.
    — Stevie Bonifield, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of brightness
Verb
  • Or for a truly boisterous experience, head to Wrigleyville’s Santa Baby, a multilevel extravaganza with hundreds of sparkling ornaments, candy-cane walls, real-life Santas, and themed food and drinks.
    — Allison Yates, Midwest Living, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Make a refreshing mocktail with a sprig of rosemary plus equal parts unsweetened cranberry juice and club soda or sparkling water.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of sparkle
Noun
  • Step inside the glassy tower and the mood softens instantly; warm wood panelling, geometric latticework and ikebana arrangements nod to traditional craftsmanship; lantern-like lighting casts a gentle glow across stone floors and neutral textiles.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The glow of many Turners has dwindled, thanks to unstable pigments, but here is an immaculate exception.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • Greatest brilliancy marks the sweet spot between the two, when Venus' apparent size and shrinking phase combine to give us the greatest apparent area of illuminated Venus in our sky.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The result is an incredible repository of vexations, bafflements, witticisms, and brilliancies.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Definition of brilliancy
Verb
  • Pack a blackout sleep mask just in case There’s nothing worse than finally crawling into your hotel bed after a long travel day, only to discover that the curtains don’t fully close and a streetlight is shining directly onto your pillow.
    — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The menu focused on clean, whole ingredients, sacrificing robust seasoning to let the natural flavors shine.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of shine
Noun
  • It was offset with a warmer, slightly deeper tint at the center for subtle dimension, and locked in with a plush satin-gloss sheen.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The symbol gave plastic the sheen of recyclability, even though most items cannot be reprocessed due to economic or technical barriers.
    — Lisa Song, ProPublica, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of sheen
Noun
  • This is a deeply flawed team that is capable of flashes of brilliance against some opponents.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The fact that this ‘00s nostalgia piece was made via a very 2020s model of filmmaking is just further evidence of Udea’s casual formal brilliance.
    — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of brilliance

Browse Nearby Words

lusted (for or after)
luster
lustered
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Cite this Entry

“Luster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luster. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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