sun

noun

ˈsən How to pronounce sun (audio)
Definition of sunnext
1
as in sunshine
the light given off by the star around which the planet Earth revolves be sure to wear sunscreen if you plan to spend more than a few minutes in the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in star
a ball-shaped gaseous celestial body that shines by its own light the incomprehensible vastness of a universe filled with billions of suns

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sunrise
the first appearance of light in the morning or the time of its appearance I'm afraid that for this long trip we shall have to leave with the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in glory
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement Olympians basking in the sun of athletic achievement while the public still remembers them

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 sun Its speaker has hoped that her life will serve as a warning to her younger sister because, although the speaker’s fate is bound to unfold beneath the rising sun, her sister does not have to follow in her footsteps. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026 This is key to preventing any further damage to this delicate area, especially when treating crepey skin that has thinned from chronic sun exposure. — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026 Check sun and shade patterns across the day, think about privacy with fencing, tall planters, bamboo screens or outdoor curtains, and account for noise, drainage and level ground for anything heavy like tubs or saunas. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 The other thing is that the sun is just constantly moving, obviously. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sun
  1. sunshine
  2. star
  3. sunrise
  4. glory
  5. sunlight
  6. galaxy
  7. day
  8. applause
Noun
  • The weekend looks fantastic for outdoor plans, with plenty of sunshine and no significant rain in the forecast.
    — Kate Bilo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The images are of a shimmering ocean, kids running on the beach, sunshine, a wedding proposal and a wholesome graduation ceremony.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of sunshine
Noun
  • Stokes finished with a personal 2026 postseason-best 13 points to go with eight rebounds, three blocks and suffocating defense on Dream star Angel Reese, who was held to seven points on 2-for-8 shooting.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The former Cowboys star motioned to the drivers of the vehicles to tell them to slow down, and that’s when the dispute began.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of star
Noun
  • But the bright moon is expected to set a few hours before sunrise, so sky watchers will have an optimal window to spot up to 20 meteors per hour.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Wellness experiences take place beyond the canvas-tent spa too, from sunrise yoga on the deck to sound journey meditation in the bush.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of sunrise
Noun
  • In reality, there are no heroes and no glory, only worlds that collapse and dreams that shatter.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Behold, here on the Hudson Theatre stage, the 11-time Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus in all her quipping glory.
    — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of glory
Noun
  • Seven-day itineraries are stubbornly unhurried, timed around the intersections of sunlight and wildlife routines.
    — Alexandra Marvar, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The dress was designed with a plunging neckline and a formfitting silhouette with a strips of fabric that evoked sunlight and rays.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of sunlight
Noun
  • Not just a rock star but an entire galaxy unto himself, Bowie became a singular force in glam rock, electronic and ambient sounds, dance pop, art rock, and gender-bending fashion.
    — Eleni N. Gage, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
  • After the initial blast, which spews out gamma rays, a storm of radiation pours into the surrounding galaxy, creating a ferocious afterglow that burns in every part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of galaxy
Noun
  • The last polls before election day have given Eisenkot’s Yashar presumed coalition a lead of about two to six seats over Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, according to three of Israel’s main broadcasters.
    — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • This September 25 concert was Lui’s record release event for Instant Validation, which came out that same day via Asthmatic Kitty Records.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of day
Noun
  • Flight controllers burst into applause and jumped to their feet, shaking hands and embracing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • And the London Film Festival audience received the feature warmly, with one moment of raucous applause and plenty of laughter across the screening.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of applause

Browse Nearby Words

sum-ups
sun
sunbaked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sun. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sun

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sun

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All