effulgence

noun

i-ˈfu̇l-jən(t)s How to pronounce effulgence (audio)
Definition of effulgencenext
as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light the exceptional effulgence of the harvest moon is always a striking sight

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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 effulgence Though the Star of Bethlehem has sunk, yet its sacred effulgence beams forth periodically, again and again, and a universe is filled with joy in honor of the Great Redeemer. — Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024 One part shimmery smoky eye, one part unexpected pressing of pigment, Lopez's eyeshadow plotted with her luminous skin and swipe of pale pink lipgloss to exude effulgence. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2018 Absent from Van Noten’s three-decade career are stories of bankruptcy, strife, irresponsibility, overleverage, overexpansion, overspending or unhinged, dangerous effulgence. — Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effulgence
  1. brightness
  2. brilliancy
  3. brilliance
  4. lightness
Noun
  • Between 2017 and 2023, Sickafoose's team probed Pluto's atmosphere during ten occultations of stars ranging in brightness from about magnitude 12 to magnitude 18, far below naked-eye visibility.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Saie’s Glowy Super Gel is a luminous, hydrating, primer-meets-base that truly gives the look of a post Euro-summer glow and brightness.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of brightness
Noun
  • The result is an incredible repository of vexations, bafflements, witticisms, and brilliancies.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • So, astronomers have come up with a compromise regarding the geometry of the sun's illumination angle on Venus' disk versus its distance from Earth to determine the time of Venus' greatest brilliancy.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of brilliancy
Noun
  • Over time, the same system that profited from his brilliance proved indifferent to his vulnerability, and his life became reduced to a singular narrative of addiction and demise.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Kendrick and Rihanna’s vocals remain clear throughout, and the high-end brilliance adds sparkle to the cymbals, generating a more lifelike drum beat.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of brilliance
Noun
  • Gus Birney, Shulman’s real-life daughter, brings an ineffable lightness to Sarah Nell, the joyfulness and sweetness of the portrayal all the more wondrous before of all the darkness that surrounds it.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • What character does is govern how a person understands and inhabits these qualities with humanity, with justice, with humility, with the appropriate lightness of not confusing oneself for one’s category.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of lightness

Browse Nearby Words

effrontery
effulgence
effulgent
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Cite this Entry

“Effulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effulgence. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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