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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective radiant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of radiant are bright, brilliant, luminous, and lustrous. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

In what contexts can bright take the place of radiant?

The words bright and radiant can be used in similar contexts, but bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When is it sensible to use brilliant instead of radiant?

Although the words brilliant and radiant have much in common, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

When can luminous be used instead of radiant?

While in some cases nearly identical to radiant, luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When would lustrous be a good substitute for radiant?

The meanings of lustrous and radiant largely overlap; however, lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

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 radiant Nestled on Jamaica’s radiant northwest coast, the Tryall Club has 90 distinctive villas, each designed to be your ideal vacation home. Rana Good, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Ryan Whitney will always be remembered as a radiant and empathetic boy. Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025 Their connection went much deeper than her bright eyes, soft features and radiant smile. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2025 The battery supplies high current on demand to the stovetop’s four induction elements and to the conventional radiant elements inside its oven. Ian Baker august 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for radiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radiant
Adjective
  • The Pixel’s Magic Editor leverages generative AI tools, which can remove objects in the background, alter lighting, and realistically change the entire mood of a phone (a bright middary sun can easily be compensated for).
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Academy graduate Charlie Tasker is a bright prospect.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Our centerpiece selection Christy anchors the festival with its daring artistry and gives us the opportunity to honor the luminous Sydney Sweeney.
    Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Whether exploring the Royal Botanic Garden or watching sunset from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair—hand-carved by convicts in 1810—the city feels luminous, expansive, and just a little wild.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The bookshelf opens to reveal a glowing path.
    Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The reviews for this twist on classic Chicken Pot Pie are absolutely glowing.
    Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Attendees rode in support of and alongside community member Eva Zamora, who is a shining example of how to live your best life with Parkinson’s disease and takes cycle classes at EōS regularly, a news release stated.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Her next shining moment comes when two young sisters enter the hospital.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And the stadium atmosphere was dazzling, even in the drizzle.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • For entomology buffs, the nation of Colombia plays host to the largest number of butterfly species on the planet, with Jaguarundi Travel operating a dedicated tour that showcases a dazzling array of colorful insects.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Weather Channel says warm, sunny days are ideal for stunning fall colors, but only if they are followed by cool nights.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Autumn brings a fresh flush of flowers to carpet the ground in cool blues and purples, sunny yellow, and warm rose to red hues.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Brownie's coat, now clean and shiny thanks to a bath from an AHS Emergency Animal Medical Technician™, matches her sweet nature.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Kail, 48, complemented his wife perfectly in a simple black suit, white button-down shirt — with a few buttons undone for a casual touch — and shiny black shoes.
    Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The YouTuber greets everyone — fan on the street, friend, foe, sitting Congressmen, and unsuspecting Rolling Stone staffer — the same, with a cheerful smile and an already rolling camera crew.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The pet supplement space is crowded with options, many of which have cheerful packaging and confident claims, yet little transparency about efficacy.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Radiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radiant. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on radiant

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