incandescence

noun

ˌin-kən-ˈde-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce incandescence (audio)
Definition of incandescencenext
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible candles made from whale oil were once highly prized because they burned with an incandescence superior to that of other candles

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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 incandescence With her talent, incandescence and an underlying vulnerability, Monroe went on to become one of the most enduring stars of all time — with all kinds of stories attached to her legacy. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 Deeper within the planet, though, the surface might be emanating a faint red, due to incandescence resulting from being baked by its star. — Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 Like with incandescent light bulbs, the electrical current enters the socket and travels to a tungsten filament, heating up the filament to incandescence. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2025 With a name chosen to suggest incandescence, Candente’s grills sear fajitas made from prime skirt steak and ribeye infused with the unmistakable nuances infused by the distinctively strong, smoky, earthy flavors of mesquite smoke. — Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incandescence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incandescence
  1. glow
  2. glare
  3. light
  4. gleam
  5. illumination
Noun
  • The cream creates a subtle glow and softens the skin, helping to smooth out those fine lines on the neck.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The familiar stars of Orion's Belt glisten to the right of McCollum's image, close to the glow of the Orion Nebula — one of the nearest major star forming regions to Earth.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • The matte screen effectively fought off the glare from the open window in my row.
    — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
  • And the display has a matte finish, which reduces glare and doesn’t smudge easily.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of glare
Noun
  • Ukrainians are bracing for the bitterly cold months ahead as the recent escalation in Russian attacks targets the power grid to deny civilians heat, light and running water.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In this setup, the angle between the polarized light and the polarizer determines how much light can pass through the latter.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of light
Noun
  • The music resolves and smoke rolls into the gallery before the screen opens up and the real Endeavour gleams in the distance, spotlighted like a mirage in the dark.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The singer-songwriter’s seventh album is their wackiest and funniest to date, with a madcap gleam coursing through its synth-pop portraits of lovable weirdos and suburban dread.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • And retained over 85% of their initial output after 2,000 hours of continuous operation under continuous illumination.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Although the moon reaches peak illumination shortly after midnight Eastern Time on October 26, the best viewing opportunity for the moonrise will be Sunday evening, October 25, when the moon appears low on the eastern horizon at dusk.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of illumination

Browse Nearby Words

in camera
incandescence
incandescences
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Cite this Entry

“Incandescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incandescence. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incandescence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about incandescence

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