luster 1 of 2

noun

ˈlə-stər How to pronounce luster (audio)
variants or lustre
Definition of lusternext
1
as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface the Hope diamond is famous for its brilliant luster

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light on a clear night at sea the stars seem to take on a magical luster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

luster

2 of 2

verb

variants or lustre
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light her pearl necklace lustered softly in the candlelight of the restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 luster
Noun
Some coffee chains have now expanded their non-pumpkin offerings as the classic pumpkin-spice drink loses some of its luster. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 The pork that made it to our table had either not been seared or the crust had lost its luster in transit, leaving the whole roulade too soft. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
Make sure to hand-wash any copper items or other precious metals to keep their shine and luster intact and avoid discoloration or tarnishing. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for luster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luster
  1. gleam
  2. brightness
  3. sparkle
  4. glow
  5. brilliancy
  6. shine
  7. sheen
  8. brilliance
Noun
  • Many of us were not a gleam in our parents’ eyes when Monterey Pop took place.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Related Stories Cruise, declaiming every line, acting with blind bluster and a mean gleam of good-ol’-boy joy, makes Digger a walking cartoon — a larger-than-life satire of over-the-top American arrogance, like LBJ crossed with Foghorn Leghorn.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • At the same time, the star’s brightness seemed to dim periodically, suggesting an orbiting planet.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The display’s brightness was more of an issue than its color coverage.
    — Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of brightness
Verb
  • Even when Monét isn’t being quite as playful as on past releases, her personality sparkles brighter than her esteemed guests.
    — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In the box office sensation Animal House (1978), directed by John Landis, Weller sparkled as the snooty Mandy, who’s dating the arrogant Omega House chapter president Gregory Marmalard (James Daughton).
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of sparkle
Noun
  • What sets this story apart, Nakajima says, is that Nobita, a human, ends up beneath the waves because he was bathed in the glow of the Adaptation Ray.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Every nightfall is different — different seasonal colors, angels, weather, celestial glows, grasses and shadows.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • Greatest brilliancy marks the sweet spot between the two, when Venus' apparent size and shrinking phase combine to give us the greatest apparent area of illuminated Venus in our sky.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The result is an incredible repository of vexations, bafflements, witticisms, and brilliancies.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Definition of brilliancy
Verb
  • No lights shone from blocks of flats; no sounds of traffic came from any road.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • As for glam, Deutch kept things simple, shining a spotlight on her outfit.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of shine
Noun
  • To emphasize the ghoulishness, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki shoots the president and his advisors in unflattering low angles with a formaldehyde sheen.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Many glass cleaners use ammonia to cut through grease and grime, but instead of leaving your appliances polished and shiny, the pungent solution can actually leave a streaky, cloudy sheen on stainless steel.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of sheen
Noun
  • For all the brilliance of Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, one thing his crew has struggled to do consistently is cover the tight end.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • An entire generation mistaking the actor’s brilliance as an invitation.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of brilliance

Browse Nearby Words

lusted (for or after)
luster
lustered
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Cite this Entry

“Luster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luster. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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