Definition of luxuriousnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word luxurious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of luxurious are sensual, sensuous, and voluptuous. While all these words mean "relating to or providing pleasure through gratification of the senses," luxurious suggests the indulgence of sensuous pleasure inducing bodily ease and languor.

a luxurious hotel

When is it sensible to use sensual instead of luxurious?

The synonyms sensual and luxurious are sometimes interchangeable, but sensual tends to imply the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of the physical appetites as ends in themselves.

a life devoted to sensual pleasures

When is sensuous a more appropriate choice than luxurious?

In some situations, the words sensuous and luxurious are roughly equivalent. However, sensuous implies gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure.

the sensuous delights of great music

When might voluptuous be a better fit than luxurious?

The meanings of voluptuous and luxurious largely overlap; however, voluptuous implies more strongly an abandonment especially to sensual pleasure.

a voluptuous feast

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 luxurious For a more luxurious experience, go glamping at Solana Guest Ranch and Spanish Villas. Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 2026 The luxurious bedding set features a reversible, 100 percent cotton honeycomb design, which is wrinkle-free, soft, and breathable. Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026 The speaker is meant to convey a luxurious feel, as it's made of real wood veneer and features tactile buttons and knobs. George Yang, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026 Give a luxurious backyard the feel of a private resort with an extra-tall living privacy wall. Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for luxurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luxurious
Adjective
  • The interiors of the standard overwater and deluxe overwater villas are the same, but the view is different; standard villas look out on the sea and others opposite them.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
  • In addition to the standard digital release, the collection will be available in both standard and deluxe physical editions.
    Kennedy French, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • From cheeky shots of celebrities like Jane Fonda and Arnold Schwarzenegger to extravagant, sensual portfolios of America’s Olympic squads, the magazine’s pantheon of photographers have helped to define the genre of sports portraiture.
    Erika Harwood, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
  • His litany of urgently treacly smashes was the soundtrack of that era, both a master class in minimal form that updated the mercenary structures of the Brill Building and Frank Sinatra, and also a cool and controlled reimagining of the sensual soul music of the late ’60s through the mid-70s.
    New York Times, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Silver Ray offers an upbeat, energetic vibe rarely felt on ultra-luxury ships.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The latter may reestablish Cadillac as a performance brand, while the former — a handmade bespoke offering that starts at $400,000 — brings ultra-luxury levels back to the iconic company.
    Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But back in the 1950s, most Americans thought of Cuba as little more than a hedonistic paradise.
    Mo Rocca, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The venue’s original leopard print carpet also remains—a hangover from its disco days and the longstanding witness to some of the city’s most hedonistic moments.
    Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But now all that luxuriant coat is starting to come off.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The luxuriant texture combined with the umami depth-charge can stun a table into silence.
    Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The gourmet scene is yet another aspect that makes Vienna a must-visit for sybaritic travelers.
    CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Warnings, laments, and odes to renewal were expressed pictorially as dying days under bleeding heavens, belching volcanoes, proud icebergs, lavish rainbows amid spangling, mist-suffusing sunlight and dawns of peace and hope.
    Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Bezos is no stranger to seeing protesters come between himself and a lavish celebration.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Although Duchossois’ acquisition of Arlington Park in 1983 and his ownership of the luxurious track overshadowed his achievements as a breeder, his beautiful Hill ‘N Dale Farm near Barrington was a model breeding farm, as impressive as any of those in Kentucky.
    Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • To some extent, the cool commercial logic of the fashion industry—which transforms beautiful, original works into cheaply reproducible goods, season after season—echoes that of Hollywood, which regularly cannibalizes and, yes, franchises its greatest successes.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Luxurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luxurious. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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