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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sublime contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sublime are glorious, gorgeous, resplendent, splendid, and superb. While all these words mean "extraordinarily or transcendently impressive," sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.

a vision of sublime beauty

When can glorious be used instead of sublime?

The synonyms glorious and sublime are sometimes interchangeable, but glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.

a glorious sunset

When would gorgeous be a good substitute for sublime?

Although the words gorgeous and sublime have much in common, gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.

a gorgeous red dress

When is resplendent a more appropriate choice than sublime?

The words resplendent and sublime are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.

resplendent in her jewelry

Where would splendid be a reasonable alternative to sublime?

The meanings of splendid and sublime largely overlap; however, splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.

the wedding was a splendid occasion

When is it sensible to use superb instead of sublime?

While the synonyms superb and sublime are close in meaning, 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 sublime Time to get your classical musical theater wings in this silly, sublime tale of the ultimate matchmaker who just might find her match. Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 18 May 2025 Come for breakfast or a light lunch and stay for their dazzling cheese selection—over 150 varieties served with the kind of attention to detail that makes even a simple sandwich feel sublime. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2025 DeGrom spotted a sublime slider at the bottom of Jeremy Peña’s strike zone. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Collectivity could be our ultimate destiny: the community ritual of bodies attached to sublime music (and electronic dance music is more beautiful than many skeptics realize), the dispensability of the nuclear family in a world of greater co-operative labor and nurturing. David Katz, IndieWire, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sublime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sublime
Adjective
  • Overwhelmingly, the pictures portrayed manual work as a noble, even romantic enterprise.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 31 May 2025
  • Now Rome’s buzziest new hotel is also one of its oldest: Grand Hotel de la Minerva became a hotel in the 1800s but was built in the 1700s as the residence of a noble Portuguese family.
    Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • After 23 years and an astonishing 4,953 episodes, the show reaches its finale Friday as the sports media industry’s most prolific on-air talent incubator.
    Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • Game two was astonishing, and a full reckoning of the faults that existed in the defending champs’ armor.
    Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Seven of Pentacles is a gentle reminder that great things take time.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025
  • The story now circulating with ever greater popularity is that Jackson was an innocent bystander in the 1919 World Series fix.
    Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • Your wonderful dog may or may not hanker to break routine and go on holiday.
    John Oseid, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • This includes New Jersey, which boasts the highest average earnings in the U.S. Higher wages can often result in better health insurance from an employer, less fear about medical debt and less reliance on state and federal health care services like Medicaid and Medicare.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • An avid cyclist and mountaineer, Williams has summited six of the seven highest peaks on Earth, including Mt. Everest.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • There’s still men — there’s Benson, who’s doing amazing.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • Comments Chloe Fineman has explained how that amazing triple Jennifer Coolidge impression — Fineman, Dana Carvey, and host Ariana Grande — landed on Saturday Night Live.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Each year, Scouts, Scouters, veterans and other community groups from all over the Bay Area gather in tribute to these gallant men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.
    Karl Mondon, Mercury News, 25 May 2025
  • Curiosity is an optimistic treasure hunt—a gallant search that occurs without proof or guarantee.
    Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • There’s conflict in everything, in the clashing of worlds and the fight for a world that makes sense to believe in, yet miraculous poetry and optimism somehow, too.
    Ella Kemp, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
  • Indiana pulled off a miraculous comeback victory that night, and Miller scored 25 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sublime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sublime. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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