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
  • While the shoes featured the sparkling detail on the toe strap, Mowry’s dress was the true center of attention.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Publicist and artist Sergio Farias wore a dripping ruby headpiece, sparkling silver suit and fluffy scarlet train.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 8 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
  • The sun should shine over the Baltimore area for the first half of the week before rain moves in Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
  • This chicken shines with rice tucked underneath, which catches every saucy streak.
    — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of shine
Noun
  • Made from buttery-soft organic cotton sateen with a subtle sheen, the set includes a duvet cover and two matching shams.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Buyers in rubber boots moved briskly between the rows, using hooks and flashlights to inspect the fat marbling and ruby-red sheen of each tail cross-section before the rapid-fire hand-signal bidding began.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 7 Nov. 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 11 Nov. 2026.

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