resplendent

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective resplendent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of resplendent are glorious, gorgeous, splendid, sublime, and superb. While all these words mean "extraordinarily or transcendently impressive," resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.

resplendent in her jewelry

When might glorious be a better fit than resplendent?

Although the words glorious and resplendent have much in common, glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.

a glorious sunset

When can gorgeous be used instead of resplendent?

The words gorgeous and resplendent can be used in similar contexts, but gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.

a gorgeous red dress

When is splendid a more appropriate choice than resplendent?

The synonyms splendid and resplendent are sometimes interchangeable, but splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.

the wedding was a splendid occasion

When would sublime be a good substitute for resplendent?

In some situations, the words sublime and resplendent are roughly equivalent. However, sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.

a vision of sublime beauty

When could superb be used to replace resplendent?

While in some cases nearly identical to resplendent, superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree.

her singing was superb

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 resplendent No other flower has commands devotion and adoration as much as roses and in the pages of this book, in photographs that are at once achingly beautiful and resplendent, the author captures the enduring beauty of the rose. Blue Carreon, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 At first the monolithic structure, resplendent with gauzy projections, suggests an iceberg slowly thawing, revealing remnants of the primordial world, beautiful feral creatures that leap and prowl. Karen D'souza, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025 Her model mother, Karen Elson, is resplendent in Chanel; select Chanel boutiques. Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025 Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news Birds-of-paradise are among the most resplendent creatures on Earth, with long, elaborate feathers in eye-popping shades of yellow, blue, and red. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resplendent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resplendent
Adjective
  • In an era that looked as if it might be defined by an American man of depraved cruelty, corruption, and shame, what a magnificent thing the Catholic Church has done.
    Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
  • One-day entry costs $60 ($25 for students), or $80 for unlimited visits through Tuesday, a modest price for a magnificent experience to see masterpieces that may be on view for the first or last time.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Which is what makes David’s gesture so odd and so glorious.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 May 2025
  • There’s enough glorious weirdness threaded throughout this peanut-butter-meets-chocolate combination of Judd Apatow-type set-ups and the kind of comedy that results in Robinson berating himself with a bar of soap in his mouth to justify a lot.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Churches aren’t just beautiful buildings that uplift New York.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
  • The property has beautiful minimalist, modern design with pops of natural wood accents and stunning views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.
    Kimberley Mok, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • That’s good, but cladding a phone whose raison d’etre is gorgeous, slim design seems less than ideal.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • The gorgeous shade is just one part of the autumn color palette, though.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • To bring back that upscale aesthetic, the Casino Royal will have a dress code that requires jackets for men and elegant dress for women.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 13 May 2025
  • In 2024, Evangelista made an elegant return to the Met Gala.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Flavors of light red fruit, cherry tart and sparking acidity with a lovely finish and pronounced length.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • The plot is basic and the dialogue merely serviceable, but there are lovely scenery shots throughout, the vastness, gentle light and deep colors of the American West illustrated carefully and evocatively by Hutchins’ — and Cline’s — camera work.
    Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The play’s cast is excellent, particularly the exquisite, charismatic and very funny Mahira Kakkar as Ananya.
    Pamela Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • The 1925 designation declared that Rioja’s wines are not merely a product of geography, but of philosophy—that to label a bottle as Rioja is to name a lineage, to recognize an unbroken chain of hands shaping something enduring and exquisite.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The ongoing inspiration of the artist’s garden is revealed in a final gallery featuring a stunning array of Asawa’s late drawings of plants, bouquets and flowers produced during the 1990s and early 2000s.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • As Rockets head coach Ime Udoka addressed reporters a few hours before Houston’s stunning 115-107 Game 6 win over the Golden State Warriors, his veneration of longtime head coach Gregg Popovich, his former boss, seemed more important than prepping for an elimination game.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 3 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resplendent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resplendent. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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