Definition of nimbusnext
1
2
as in glory
an artistic rendering of radiant light around the head or body of a sacred personage the nimbi for the sculpted figures around the exterior of the church are simple disks about the saints' heads

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 nimbus Beethoven’s music acquired its nimbus of divinity and settled into these capacious Xanadus. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Oct. 2024 The Ottoman artist chose to depict the prophet’s purity through the use of white fabrics, and his entire being as touched by the light of God via the large flaming nimbus that encircles his body. — Christiane Gruber, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2023 All these flat shapes are limned by dark lines — the reverse of the delicate nimbus of light surrounding them in the original. — Washington Post, 4 Jan. 2023 O’Connell — Didi, to her intimates — is petite and nimble, with a queenly nimbus of red hair and a default expression, offstage anyway, of intent curiosity. — New York Times, 17 June 2022 See All Example Sentences for nimbus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nimbus
Noun
  • This changes when moving off-center past about 30 degrees, at which point the objects show a wide aura around them.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Defined by Victorian era elements like lace and semi-sheer material with severe silhouettes and gothic styles, the dark glamour look punctuated the general edgy aura of Charli XCX’s alt pop star wardrobe.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There was Sinners, Coogler’s vampire movie that delivered $370 million in ticket sales and Academy Awards glory.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But there will be no return to the glory days of the mid-20th century, when almost half of Americans routinely attended a church, synagogue or mosque, the same study concluded.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The spa The atmosphere of the entire resort is quite tranquil, and feels spa-like itself.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • That climate pattern sees the heating of ocean waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, which spur changes in the atmosphere that can affect weather around the world.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • On Wednesday, teachers were busy helping students with artwork in various stages of completion, including a painting of Boyle with a halo.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In May, for example, astronomers suggested that a lunar-mass PBH might have been spotted drifting through the halo of our Milky Way, but follow-up work suggested the sighting was a variable star, not a black hole.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The sound of the music was one thing—even when Stereolab were at their loungiest or Stars of the Lid were including the key in which a song was composed in its title, there was something like the faintest air of rock music in their experiments.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Two weeks into fighting, the unforgiving mountainous terrain, heavy Saudi and government air power, and a reenergized anti-Houthi coalition have kept the Houthi advance in check, preventing a collapse on the level of that in mid-September.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • It is bordered by hummocky deposits, called aureoles, that were formed by landslides from the mountain.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2025
  • Jacob knew from photographs the goblin face, the aureole of whitening hair.
    — Lan Samantha Chang, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on nimbus

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!