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 While it’s crafted with 100 percent polyester, shoppers rave about the feeling of the material, with some even comparing it to more luxurious fabrics. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025 For those who have weddings, consider this luxurious gown that comes with flattering ruching details and a drapey base. Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 The lower level features luxurious amenities, including a gym and sauna, a movie theater drenched in black paint, a catering kitchen, and a wine cellar. India Roby, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025 In Kill Jackie, Zeta-Jones is Jackie Price, who has been living a wealthy, luxurious existence for the last 20 years — traveling the world, selling fine art using sophisticated tax loopholes and, above all, trying to stay anonymous after escaping a dangerous past as an international cocaine dealer. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for luxurious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luxurious
Adjective
  • High-end luxury prices start at nearly five times that price, while ultra-luxury surge to more than 12 times the typical home price.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Fisker, 62, is best known for designing ultra-luxury cars for BMW, Ford, Tesla, and Aston Martin before starting Fisker Automotive in 2007.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Frankincense and resins open the composition, mingling with tonka and vanilla bean for a sensual, sophisticated, and addictive aroma that invites you to linger beside a boutique hotel’s flickering fireplace on a cold night.
    Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Even without the models, the sample runway light show was sensual, inviting, synced with pulsing music.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The prize is a 1-night stay in a deluxe suite at The Surrey Hotel during the months of October 2025-March 2026 and a complimentary 60-minute custom facial spa treatment.
    Vogue, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The Untold Chapter will be released on black vinyl as well as digitally, as well as a deluxe 2-CD edition with the original album and the new EP, as well as a 20-page booklet of lyrics and illustrations; fans can pre-order the black vinyl here.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Like that Lena Dunham series but with a decidedly more hedonistic spin given this first footage, the series centers on a friend group navigating relationships, career, success, and party-going.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Frida’s terminally ill mom, Victoria (Montse Guallar), escapes into a hedonistic haze of morphine, imperious behavior, and pansexual dalliances.
    Judy Berman, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • An informal cut, perhaps, though the top’s material — a luxuriant silk crepe — helped elevate the look.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Beyond it is a three-hectare haven of silvery olive trees, luxuriant Washingtonia palms, and lawns where peacocks wander freely.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The lavish colors are all set against the stunning backdrop of Sedona’s iconic red rock formations.
    Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The Love Island star celebrated her 28th birthday with a lavish party in New York City in August.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
  • An enemy may have invaded your beautiful, green lawn, leaving it ugly and brown.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2004, Luhrmann directed Kidman in a Chanel ad that was as sumptuous as one of his red curtain movies.
    Wendell Steavenson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The Addiction, which also stars Ferrara fave Christopher Walken, benefits from low-budget grit, as it's populated with the authentic Manhattan characters and locations that one associates with Ferrara's best work and lensed by Ken Kelsch in sumptuous black and white.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Luxurious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luxurious. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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