Definition of lustrousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lustrous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lustrous are bright, brilliant, luminous, and radiant. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

When might bright be a better fit than lustrous?

The words bright and lustrous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When would brilliant be a good substitute for lustrous?

While the synonyms brilliant and lustrous are close in meaning, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

When is luminous a more appropriate choice than lustrous?

The synonyms luminous and lustrous are sometimes interchangeable, but luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When could radiant be used to replace lustrous?

The words radiant and lustrous can be used in similar contexts, but radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

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 lustrous Leaves are a lustrous green and turn yellow, orange, or crimson in the fall. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026 But nacre, the lustrous substance mollusks use to line their shell, is becoming prized once more, this time in materials science. Caitlin Kennedy, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2026 Cat-eye and chrome gives the dark colors a lustrous, molten-metal sheen, while 3D details and negative space cutouts add an unexpected playfulness. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026 In the upper section, lime wash paint was chosen for its lustrous finish, which makes the space appear brighter. Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lustrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lustrous
Adjective
  • Ecstatic catharsis is her métier, and Animal Wisdom is luminous with it.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 May 2026
  • Included in the exhibition are Sea Idyll (1909), a luminous beach scene; Louis Comfort Tiffany (1911), a portrait of the famed American designer in his Long Island garden; and Señora de Sorolla in a Spanish Mantilla (1902), an intimate portrait of the artist’s wife.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 May 2026
Adjective
  • The structured top handle makes this bag a polished option, while the removable shoulder strap transforms it into an everyday staple.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
  • At the center is a quartz crystal accompanied by recordings of titanium being hammered and polished.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Southern Hemisphere has its own polar lights known as the southern lights, or aurora australis, which create a dazzling display of their own.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • Dreyer added an assist when the 19-year-old Soma scored his first career goal — a dazzling one — in his 12th appearance for a 3-0 advantage in the 54th minute.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Behind him are glistening gemstones.
    Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • In the summer, its population swells as Italians flock here seeking sun and the chance to swim in the glistening azure sea and soak in the thermal hot springs.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • Whatever political direction Democrats plan to take their party in two years at their National Convention to elect a presidential nominee, Denver offers a shining example of what a city looks like when governance goes right for many decades, led by heart and hard work.
    The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 5 May 2026
  • So naturally in a state that treats basketball like a religion and the sport’s biggest stars like royalty, nobody casts a bigger shadow in this community now than the slender 6-foot-6, 196-pound, 19-year-old freshman who changed Final Four weekend with one brilliant shining moment Sunday afternoon.
    Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Anonymous Copenhagen, long known for its streamlined flats and occasion heels, has also emerged as a key player in the category, reinterpreting the glove pump in glossy leathers, satin finishes and a spectrum of wearable hues that invite self-expression.
    Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
  • The Golden Retriever blend supports health and weight management with nutrients to also encourage a glossy coat.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Neither was a glowing example of how to win in the playoffs, but the Sabres deserve full marks for sticking with it and taking over the game.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • At the mid-sized company, any inquiries to the AI agent would come back with glowing comments about the vendor.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Adjective
  • Today’s wedge sandals feel markedly sleeker, trading bulk for minimalist lines, sculptural heels and refined proportions that elevate the once-divisive shoe into something far more polished.
    Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 17 May 2026
  • Microsoft Office 2024 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote — all updated with a sleek new interface and powerful AI tools.
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 17 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lustrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lustrous. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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