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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The Boston Celtics, in second place in the East without Jayson Tatum this year and Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis traded away, are another shining example. — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026 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
Verb
The most impressive of these new discoveries is the most ancient and distant quasar ever seen, shining with the light of a trillion suns just 670 million years after the Big Bang. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 July 2026 Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia’s shining light, also helped charm France into giving its support. — Sean Gregory, Time, 5 July 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
  • The trailer opens with a montage of a glowing Lily (Lively) walking through Boston.
    — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • Its light is rather that of a glowing molten metal than that of a burning furnace.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • Scott Swift, next to a beaming Kelce, applauded his daughter’s new flame.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Clear skies and beaming sunshine are expected as temperatures soar.
    — Hali Smith July 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026
Definition of beaming
Verb
  • Rather than using a standard stonewash, TacticalGeek says the blade is hand-finished with sanding and polishing steps that refine the surface from coarse to fine, while the groove area uses EDM machining for extra texture and visual depth.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 July 2026
  • Sullivan practices with UConn’s Fencing Club and is still polishing her skills, but the sport is no longer her top priority.
    — Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
Definition of polishing
Adjective
  • Indeed, Brocka insists on escapist fantasies in a world that otherwise offers no escape, which, in my view, is more hopeful than bleak — and, in turn, allows this kind of gritty sensuality to persist in his ever-enduring, luminous cinema.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
  • The collection’s color palette combines seasonal colors with more technical and luminous hues, in line with Reda’s overall visual universe.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 7 July 2026
Definition of luminous
Verb
  • Or in Rabat, the city established by France as the administrative and political capital of Morocco, during its forty-nine-year occupation of the country, and the home of a gleaming new soccer academy, a symbol of the nation’s sporting ambitions?
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
  • There are no gleaming glass skyscrapers or mega-port projects here.
    — Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of gleaming
Verb
  • But the comfort extends beyond the insole, as the soft fabric straps help prevent rubbing while also lending the sandals a more elevated look.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026
  • Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026
Definition of rubbing
Adjective
  • Molière’s irresistible comedy of trickery and mayhem is a dazzling new adaptation by Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell — reimagined for today’s audiences with fresh American flair and nonstop physical comedy, according to a news release.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • The Panthers in question are former coach Ron Rivera, who is the team’s winningest head coach of all time, and Luke Kuechly, the dazzling linebacker who will be inducted into the NFL’s hall of fame himself in one month.
    — Scott Fowler July 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
Definition of dazzling
Verb
  • Rumpled lengths ooze insouciance, radiating a can't-be-bothered energy that, for some, is far cooler than even the bounciest blowout.
    — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • When P-waves start radiating from the earthquake underground, Android phones sense the vibrations, start collecting data and send it back to Google servers for processing.
    — Amy Graff, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of radiating

Browse Nearby Words

shininess
shining
shinned
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Cite this Entry

“Shining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shining. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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