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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 Looking radiant on the stage, the actress eschewed a list of thank-yous to eloquently address the movie’s message about female insecurities. Mara Reinstein, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025 Investing in premium beauty tools and treatments ensures that your skin remains radiant and your hair stays healthy, despite the cold and dry climate. Tira Urquhart, Essence, 26 Feb. 2025 These drops seamlessly blend into your favorite moisturizer or foundation, to provide extra glow, UV protection, and naturally enhance skin tone for an overall radiant finish. Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025 Formulated with olive oil, prickly pear, and apricot kernel oil, this formula thoroughly hydrates the skin and leaves it with a radiant finish. Toni Sutton, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for radiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radiant
Adjective
  • At night, many of these fishing vessels turn on bright lights to lure squid to the surface, where they are harvested using a large net.
    Avery Schmitz, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The flavor profile is sweet and bright and makes a great potluck side that will have everyone scooping out a big serving.
    Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 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
  • Sure, the Currys should get another stab at it on Monday, when the Warriors make their annual trek to Charlotte and Steph Curry’s yearly shining moment in uptown takes place.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • The show spotlights Markle whipping up treats for her friends in a dazzling kitchen, setting up picnics in a verdant garden, and evening coordinating a gorgeous afternoon tea for Mindy Kaling.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 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
  • 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
  • The actress wore a futuristic, shiny, navy blue gown with an elaborate boxy neck and accentuated the look with silver jewelry.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 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 15 Mar. 2025.

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