SHINING Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

shining 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshī-niŋ

Definition of shining

as in glowing

giving off or reflecting much light the shining moon formed a nice backdrop for our outdoor concert

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of shine

as in beaming

to emit rays of light the sun appears to shine particularly brightly in summer because that is when it's closest to the Earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in polishing

to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure the salesman shined his shoes every morning before leaving the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 shining

Adjective

Eloise's shining moment comes in Quinn's To Sir Phillip, With Love, and follows her love story with Sir Phillip Crane—yes, that Phillip, who married his late brother's true love Marina Thompson. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026 Not far away are the Pleiades, a beautiful shining star cluster that resembles a tiny Big Dipper. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 28 Dec. 2025

Verb

The album explores heartbreak, healing, faith and survival while shining a light on some of the most painful chapters of Judd's life, including her complicated relationship with her late mother Naomi Judd and Kelley's struggles. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Complete with a tarmac road and Space Age cars, Nicolas Ghesquière had turned the Cour Carrée of the Louvre into a retro-futurist racing track for his spring show, the vehicles’ headlights shining as the sun went down over the event’s finale. — Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shining

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shining

Adjective

After preparing the skin with Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir and Magic Cream, Giannetos created a glowing base using Airbrush Flawless Foundation, Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer, and the Hollywood Contour Wand.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026
Lumbering wooden doors are pivoted open to reveal the breezy hotel lobby and create a view with layers of water, first the still ornamental pools, then the main central pool and finally the glowing Caribbean sea.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of glowing

Verb

And at Mugler, the mood was set before the first look appeared, with screens beaming erotic footage that included mating snails, sweaty skin, a woman’s tongue and two people kissing.

— Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
Richard Schiff in particular, was just beaming at me in this warm and wonderful way.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of beaming

Verb

Almost all of them seemed empty, like houses closed for the season, but a handful had signs of life—crewmen at the railings, polishing the brightwork, as if getting ready to leave.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
There may have been a time when hosting a holiday dinner meant pulling out every platter, polishing the silver, and making sure there were enough wine glasses for a small army.

— Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of polishing

Adjective

There are other niceties too, like room for luminous tritium vials on a spinning module that should delight eager fidgeters, and the SceptriX's ability to strike up a spark with a separate ferro rod and light a fire.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Then a toner or essence can keep the skin luminous and smooth and allow active ingredients to work harder.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of luminous

Verb

Sharing the rooftop with Watr, the pool setting is enchanting, surrounded by gleaming high-rises and overlooking the lake.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
Most were gleaming white and conventionally extravagant, with black privacy glass and chrome railings and layers of decks.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of gleaming

Verb

Separating small equipment, personal accessories, and emergency supplies can also help reduce clutter and prevent belongings from rubbing against one another.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
After two consecutive championships and more than a decade of rubbing the rest of Major League Baseball’s noses in their extravagant wealth, the Los Angeles Dodgers were not going to be missed.

— Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rubbing

Adjective

In North Georgia’s mountains, autumn already is transforming ridges, forests and streambanks into dazzling palettes of reds, yellows, maroons and deep oranges — all part of nature’s annual leaf color spectacle.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 17 Oct. 2026
The Age of Innocence Edith Wharton, 1920 Wharton’s portrayal of 1870s New York society shows a world that is both dazzling and suffocating.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of dazzling

Verb

In photos shared by celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos on September 19, the British lawyer could be seen radiating in a sunshine yellow sundress during a week-long trip to Malawi, Africa as part of a Clooney Foundation for Justice initiative.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026
Barbara and Ibby forge a friendship that’s unexpectedly compelling because of the strength of the two actors, radiating an interiority that isn’t on the page.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of radiating

Browse Nearby Words

shininess

shining

shinned

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Shining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shining. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shining

adjective

verb

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