Definition of lustrousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lustrous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lustrous are bright, brilliant, luminous, and radiant. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

When might bright be a better fit than lustrous?

The words bright and lustrous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When would brilliant be a good substitute for lustrous?

While the synonyms brilliant and lustrous are close in meaning, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

When is luminous a more appropriate choice than lustrous?

The synonyms luminous and lustrous are sometimes interchangeable, but luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When could radiant be used to replace lustrous?

The words radiant and lustrous can be used in similar contexts, but radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

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 lustrous Restore a lustrous shine to your hair with this nourishing hair oil from Sol de Janeiro. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 The ornate dress hit just above the ankle, revealing a pair of metallic gold pumps with a lustrous finish. Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026 The design house has collaborated with esteemed names ranging from Zaha Hadid to Verner Panton and is best known for its lustrous silver tabletop pieces. Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 23 June 2026 This is why many pregnant women notice a particularly thick and lustrous mane. Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lustrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lustrous
Adjective
  • At the same time, the drops have suspended pigments that melt into the skin rather than sitting on top of it, creating a more even skin tone with a natural, slightly luminous finish.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
  • White, meanwhile, instantly lightens an outfit to add a luminous, almost ethereal touch.
    Emma Bocchi, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The residence offers a polished take on classic East Sac living, scaled perfectly to a two‑bedroom home that lives much larger than its square footage suggests.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Outputs arrive instantly, in polished language and with remarkable confidence.
    Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Williams and Alcaraz, who were both returning from injuries, wowed fans with dazzling rallies and impassioned play in an opening-round win before they were knocked out in the quarterfinals.
    Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Two New York City icons shone a dazzling pink last night in honor of another icon, the great Dolly Parton, who died yesterday following a brief battle with cancer.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Shot on location in Alberta, Canada, the blooming grasslands, breathtaking sunrises, glistening rivers and immense mountaintops are characters in their own right, often pulling audiences in when the storyline itself is drastically lacking.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Styled by Leslie Fremar, the actress wore a glistening silver dress made entirely of shredded metallic fringing that dangled around her body.
    Meg Walters, InStyle, 31 July 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Those memories will remain some of the most shining and unforgettable moments of my life.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Plus, sunflower and bilberry seed oils give strands a glossy finish.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The resulting sauce is glossy enough to spy your reflection in its jet black depths, refined yet powerful with its distinct wallop of deep, earthy flavors.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Set the scene The lobby is a vast, bubble-era set piece—soaring double-height ceilings gridded with geometric lights, warm wood paneling, and a glowing staircase.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid delivers hydration and keeps skin smooth and glowing, plus there’s niacinamide and licorice extract to brighten and even the complexion.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The sleek stovepipes in an indigo wash are already in our cart.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Saying a player is bigger and stronger can be cliche, but a UM person said that’s very much the case with Lightfoot, whose strength is sometimes underestimated because of his sleek build.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lustrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lustrous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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