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

Relevance

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
But without regular upkeep, the pristine surface can lose its luster due to the constant barrage of body products and moisture. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026 Which is not to say that the Lido selection lacks luster or awards consecration potential. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 July 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
  • Meanwhile, Tucuma-seed and buriti oils soften the skin and boost its radiance for a subtle, youthful gleam.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 July 2026
  • In other words, there is no recapturing the mythological—and curiously innocent—gleam of earlier World Cup eras.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • However, the displays produced artifact images called burn-in and the brightness of the OLED displays degraded quickly when the displays were operated at high brightness levels when used in the daytime.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Compared with the other three models, the Boom Air has the lowest brightness.
    — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of brightness
Verb
  • All that is chilly enough, except the okroshka at Elena’s is also served in a sparkling bowl made of solid ice.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And when the sun is shining, that also means the water’s sparkling, sailboats are bobbing, and seagulls are cawing.
    — Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparkle
Noun
  • Under the glow of the coastal sun, past and present begin to quietly overlap.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Sunlight bent and filtered through Earth's atmosphere leaks into the shadow, carrying the red-orange glow of every sunrise and sunset around the world.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • The result is an incredible repository of vexations, bafflements, witticisms, and brilliancies.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • So, astronomers have come up with a compromise regarding the geometry of the sun's illumination angle on Venus' disk versus its distance from Earth to determine the time of Venus' greatest brilliancy.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of brilliancy
Verb
  • Fans, artists, and leaders across all industries are mourning the star whose relentless optimism, grace, and resilience was a shining light.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Bengals have good problems at receiver as backups shine, but there are still major questions about offensive line depth.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of shine
Noun
  • With its soft, satin-like sheen, this style embodies European quiet luxury, striking the perfect balance between understated elegance and effortless versatility.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Because so many of the places that M frequents are luxurious, her sections have the sheen of a life-style magazine.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of sheen
Noun
  • Though the character is based on the author, the rest of this smart thriller’s story is fictionalized, a playful metatake that serves as both an ode to Highsmith’s brilliance and a twisty ride that’s sure to leave audiences surprised.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The richest and most watched football league in the world will bring us brilliance, talent, glitz and jamboree.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of brilliance

Browse Nearby Words

lusted (for or after)
luster
lustered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Luster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luster. Accessed 27 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 southpaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

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

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All