shining 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshī-niŋ How to pronounce shining (audio)
Definition of shiningnext
as in glowing
giving off or reflecting much light the shining moon formed a nice backdrop for our outdoor concert

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of shine
1
as in beaming
to emit rays of light the sun appears to shine particularly brightly in summer because that is when it's closest to the Earth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure the salesman shined his shoes every morning before leaving the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 shining
Adjective
Eloise's shining moment comes in Quinn's To Sir Phillip, With Love, and follows her love story with Sir Phillip Crane—yes, that Phillip, who married his late brother's true love Marina Thompson. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026 Not far away are the Pleiades, a beautiful shining star cluster that resembles a tiny Big Dipper. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 28 Dec. 2025
Verb
The neighborhood/area Hôtel Royal is just one of the shining attractions of Evian Resort. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026 Eagle-eyed skywatchers may catch Jupiter and Mercury shining to the lower right of the eclipsed sun in the faux twilight experienced during totality, while Venus will appear as a bright star-like object to its upper left. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shining
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shining
  1. glowing
  2. beaming
  3. polishing
  4. luminous
  5. gleaming
  6. rubbing
  7. dazzling
  8. radiating
Adjective
  • 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
  • After the leaves fall, the orange, sweet fruit remains on the branches, resembling glowing lanterns.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • Last month, Amazon also announced plans for a larger 5,000-satellite constellation capable of beaming voice and mobile data to consumer phones, including Apple devices.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, there will be only a flash of white light, originating nowhere in particular, beaming out into the uneventful void.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of beaming
Verb
  • Sangare is not the finished product, but Brentford’s track record of finding and polishing young players with high potential casts this move in a promising light.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Born into a Krymchak Jewish family in Haifa and raised poor in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Bakshi entered the animation industry at just 18, polishing dirt from cels at Terrytoons.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of polishing
Adjective
  • This gorgeous night dress will keep you cool in the summer, and features a romantic lace trim, round neckline, and luminous shell buttons.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026
  • This stellar companion is apparently a luminous star that has three times the mass of the sun but is so close to the far brighter supergiant that its light had been hidden in the glare all this time.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of luminous
Verb
  • It’s only magnified by the gleaming white-stone beach and aquamarine water outside.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Soft Symmetry is crafted in both a smooth calf leather, with a gleaming gold lock closure, and a vintage leather, with accompanying matte silver hardware that gives it an intentionally patinaed look and slouchy feel.
    — Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of gleaming
Verb
  • For instance, Qidi had to include a piece of Velcro to prevent the Polar Cooler tube from rubbing against the glass surface inside the top cover.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Republicans are rubbing their hands in glee at the neocommunist advance in their opposing party.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of rubbing
Adjective
  • There was dancing, drinks and dazzling artifacts at the de Young Museum Thursday night.
    — Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • To promote quality tourism in exceptional destinations with a dazzling range of hotels.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of dazzling
Verb
  • The map shows other towers close by, each radiating a string that is fastened to the map when other towers radio in readings.
    — Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The first breathtaking photos of totality for the total solar eclipse 2026 are pouring in, revealing incredible views of the sun's atmosphere radiating out from behind the moon's colossal silhouette.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of radiating

Browse Nearby Words

shininess
shining
shinned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shining. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shining

Nglish: Translation of shining for Spanish Speakers

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