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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective radiant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of radiant are bright, brilliant, luminous, and lustrous. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

In what contexts can bright take the place of radiant?

The words bright and radiant can be used in similar contexts, but bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When is it sensible to use brilliant instead of radiant?

Although the words brilliant and radiant have much in common, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

When can luminous be used instead of radiant?

While in some cases nearly identical to radiant, luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When would lustrous be a good substitute for radiant?

The meanings of lustrous and radiant largely overlap; however, lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

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 radiant There are also radiant heated floors, custom fixtures, and high-quality hardware throughout. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2025 Neither a gas range nor a radiant electric cooktop will damage induction-ready pans or alter their performance in any way. Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025 Start with this radiant full-band take, featuring a yearning lead vocal and a jaunty whistling solo. Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2025 From effortlessly radiant soft glam, to bold, high-shine lips, the girls understood the assignment. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for radiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radiant
Adjective
  • On March 1, Mercury is shining at a very bright magnitude of –1.0.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2025
  • It’s designed to work with makeup to prep skin first and keep peepers looking fresh and bright all day long, plus has a brightening effect to visibly reduces dark circles over time.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Key Ingredients: Shea butter, avocado oil, orange peel wax Finish: Available in luminous or natural finishes Shades: 12 How to apply: Ilia keeps matters simple with its multi-stick: swipe, blend, and go.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025
  • But in Ravel’s solo works, which across decades of composition contain both the evocative broad strokes of impressionism and the luminous specificity of pointillism, his approach can have mixed results.
    Joshua Barone, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Getty Images Getty Images Just as glowing as Anderson herself is the actor's gratitude for this moment in her career.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Also 6-foot-1, Turner did not come along with as glowing credentials.
    Chuck Murr, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Ben Franklin, with his range of knowledge from political science to publishing to ocean currents, is another shining example.
    Joe McKendrick, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Elsa Hosk is another shining example of this phenomenon.
    Kelsey Stiegman, Vogue, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Top 5 Women: Ariana Grande and Schiaparelli Win Big Five dazzling actresses and zero surprises topped the list of women seen at the Oscars 2025.
    Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The detonation sent chunks of debris raining down over the area, creating a dazzling artificial meteor shower for people in The Bahamas and Florida's Space Coast, among other locales.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines step up in March with seven new nonstops, including to sunny Orlando, Panama City, Fla., and Phoenix.
    Edward Russell, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles County was ranked No. 27 for its sunny skies and high visitor satisfaction ratings.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The matte alligator Venere bag with a concave top was hand-painted to achieve a shiny, shimmering effect, while the top-handle Perla, a squarish bucket-like bag, came in rich hues, including dark brown and ruby red.
    Stephen Garner, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Too many businesses derailed because they weren’t focused on their core strengths, trying to go down paths that made no sense just to impress investors or chase a shiny new thing.
    Damon Stafford, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Another cheerful Minervois scintillator that is balanced with bright fruit, subtle tannins and vats of joyous acidity.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Buchholz remained cheerful throughout the event, saying there is nothing to complain about when a party doubles its support.
    Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Radiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radiant. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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