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

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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

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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

Most rings use photoplethysmography, or PPG – essentially shining light into the skin and measuring changes caused by blood flow. — New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026 History of safety complaints Former pilots of 21 Air, the air-cargo company operating the Amazon Prime plane that fatal Sunday, had previously gone on record shining light on a host of safety complaints well before the crash. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 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

Adjective

Healing Turmeric brings a luminous yellow-orange to the group.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
The lightweight, slightly milky formula sank into my skin quickly without feeling sticky or heavy, leaving behind a luminous finish that made my complexion look fresher almost immediately.

— Lucy Partington, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of luminous

Verb

Food and drink The Chandelier Bar has quickly become one of the most memorable watering holes in New Orleans, with its showstopper eponymous chandelier a gleaming cascade of some 15,000 crystals.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The structure’s 27 gleaming marble petals rise in clusters of three to form nine sides, creating a perfectly symmetrical bloom that appears to float above a series of nine reflecting pools.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of gleaming

Verb

Some of these practices have been reported on before, such as rubbing deodorant against colored pages from magazines to make eye shadow.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026
The bigger claim making the rounds, that a few minutes of face rubbing can quiet your body’s stress response, is where dermatologists urge a little caution.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of rubbing

Adjective

Smith turned two short catches into dazzling scores, and Sayin connected with tight ends Nate Roberts and Mason Williams for TDs as the Buckeyes (5-1, 3-0 Big Ten) opened a 31-10 halftime lead despite some sloppy moments.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
The lime-green boots shine vividly against the dazzling white snow.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 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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Style

“Shining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shining. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shining

adjective

verb

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