sterling

adjective

Definition of sterlingnext
as in excellent
of the very best kind credited the win to the pitcher's sterling performance on the mound

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 sterling According to Steven Levy in Wired, the company was funded largely based on the sterling reputation of its founders. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026 By the time a sterling stablecoin issues under the Bank’s rules, users will have had three years of regulated alternatives and the corridors will have chosen their coins. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Nolan’s successful ride with The Odyssey includes sterling reviews, as its 95 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes is currently the best tally of his career, just ahead of The Dark Knight and Memento at 94 percent. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026 The sterling silver platter also features mythological engravings on its surface, and is awarded annually to the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles champion. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sterling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sterling
  1. excellent
  2. superb
  3. stellar
  4. terrific
  5. wonderful
  6. lovely
  7. great
  8. beautiful
Adjective
  • Her shoes are already a favorite among industry insiders for their sleek appeal and excellent construction.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In late September, the concept was thrust back into the public consciousness thanks to a Variety interview with actor Jack Innanen, who plays the Canadian himbo Paul Baker on the excellent sitcom Adults.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • The answer is both, with Wildwood representing a staggering achievement from the company that has given us such superb efforts as Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Granted, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are superb smartphones, and safe choices if you're used to the status quo.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of superb
Adjective
  • But these trace elements can have an outsize effect on overall stellar characteristics.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That means the collapse of a stellar core with an already powerful magnetic field can create a neutron star with the strongest magnetic field in the universe.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of stellar
Adjective
  • The movie looks terrific, with DP Jeff Cronenweth returning to provide visual consistency with The Social Network and Alexandre Desplat’s elegant score feeding the tension without working too hard at it.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrific
Adjective
  • The pom-pom sandals at Givenchy were wonderful, fun, unexpected and exactly what fashion lovers are looking for from a spring runway show.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Expect to see rare bottles pulled from the shelves and all manner of weird and wonderful concoctions offered up from the menu and from their encyclopedic knowledge of drinks.
    — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Opposite the magnificent eighteenth-century Grand Théatre, the 150-room Regent Grand perfectly mirrors the aristocratic elegance of this lovely city, thanks to the exquisite interiors of designer Jacques Garcia.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Amazon includes eight different color choices in this sale, from the lovely Chilled Lilac or Dewdrop Mint, all the way to the basic white or black options.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of lovely
Adjective
  • Maines’ voice sounds great, and Maguire’s grand viola break after the bridge adds requisite drama.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The defender made a great play, but Manning made a bad throw.
    — Mac Engel October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • Ben is a real talent and will craft a beautiful and compelling documentary.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Starting the fourth with beautiful field position, the Bruins needed three plays to score.
    — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of beautiful

Browse Nearby Words

sterilizing
sterling
sterlingness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sterling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sterling. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sterling

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sterling

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