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

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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

Maybe, but not every genre-blending show will benefit from Game of Thrones’s halo shining on AKOTSK. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026 Along the path of totality, observers will see the sun’s corona shining around the silhouetted moon — an experience widely regarded as one of nature’s greatest spectacles. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shining

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shining

Adjective

After the leaves fall, the orange, sweet fruit remains on the branches, resembling glowing lanterns.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Aug. 2026
Below, shop nine incredible beauty products straight from her shelf and prepare to get healthy, smooth, and absolutely glowing skin.

— Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of glowing

Verb

Earlier this year, another research team took a big step toward real-world use by improving the laser power-beaming system.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2026
Blakely cruised through her difficult release moves, closing her effort with a perfectly stuck dismount and a beaming smile.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of beaming

Verb

For many job seekers, writing another version of a resume or polishing a LinkedIn profile isn't the hard part.

— Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Under this law, employers are required to take steps to protect workers, such as providing protective respirators and using water to suppress dust, when employees are cutting, grinding or polishing slabs.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of polishing

Adjective

In the clip, the luminous actress walks into a room in a white ensemble with her arms crossed over her stomach.

— Morgan Evans, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Don Nelson, who became the NBA’s leader in coaching wins and twice lifted the Warriors from the pits of competitive despair into the playoffs during a luminous half-century pro basketball life, died Sunday.

— Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of luminous

Verb

Is the constant construction noise, and view-blocking berm, disturbing the vibe for the people behind those enormous, gleaming picture windows?

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Bally’s intends to fulfill its obligations under the host agreement, according to sources, including the buildout of the gleaming 34-story hotel, which has already risen up to full height along the Chicago River at the future casino site.

— Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of gleaming

Adjective

Not just his dazzling skill and intentionality on the ball, but off of it, too, in a pressing, high-energy team.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
The Perseid meteor shower peaked last night in spectacular fashion, dazzling stargazers as countless shooting stars blazed overhead mere hours after a total solar eclipse saw the lunar disk hide the sun over Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of dazzling

Verb

The first breathtaking photos of totality for the total solar eclipse 2026 are pouring in, revealing incredible views of the sun's atmosphere radiating out from behind the moon's colossal silhouette.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Observations of the Perseids go back more than 2,000 years, with meteors radiating from the constellation of Perseus.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of radiating

Browse Nearby Words

shininess

shining

shinned

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Cite this Entry

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“Shining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shining. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shining

adjective

verb

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