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

Many came to mourn at candlelight vigils, remembering the young mother and shining a light on domestic violence. — Christina Fan, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 This selection in the Best International Feature category has the potential to be truly transformative for the film, opening doors to audiences around the world while shining a spotlight on Pegah’s extraordinary talent and her vital voice. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 10 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

The music icon, who hails from Canada, announced the news on Instagram, sharing a photo of herself beaming while holding an American flag along with a video from her naturalization ceremony.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
The central image showed Bel beaming in a bright-blue cap and gown.

— Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 15 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

This sort of event is also seen in the super-luminous supernova population.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
An exuberant pre-dawn sky — filled with large, bright stars, a luminous crescent moon, and blue and white swirls — dominates the landscape featuring a prominent cypress tree and distant hillside village.

— Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of luminous

Verb

There’s a gleaming hospital and a string of new downtown spots to supplement The Bar, the beloved dive that was supposedly among the inspirations for the Patch Café in the TV series Landman, which is set here.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
In others, the walls are paneled in a gleaming hardwood, which sets off the furniture, upholstered in black and dark-gray velvets.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of gleaming

Verb

Oh, and a pad from an HTC Vive, because nobody wants the sharp edges of layered plastic extruded from a 3D printer rubbing against their face.

— Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Some of the more envelope-pushing moments, including an extended scene of nuns ripping off their habits and rubbing themselves on a life-sized crucifix, were in the script.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of rubbing

Adjective

Expect a night of dazzling sights, as costumed performers, puppets and floats make their way down Columbus Drive.

— Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
The royal shared a better look at her new dye job later that evening, complementing her summery highlights with a butter yellow Elie Saab cutout cape gown and her dazzling Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of dazzling

Verb

And then there’s an energetic quality, at times radiating light and other times shining it—with or without pulsing strobes—on others.

— Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Some kids come into this life and catch all the breaks and start making money and going places and radiating confidence and functionality and the world opens right up to them.

— George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shining

adjective

verb

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