as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
we could see inside the cave even without a flashlight because of the luminescence coming from some of the fungus on the walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 luminescence
Auroras are light shows that happen when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field, while airglow is luminescence caused by chemical reactions high in the atmosphere.
—
Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
When placed under ultraviolet lighting, six species of the critters were found to emit a green luminescence.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Stratus clouds are gray layers, sometimes with variances in their luminescence.
—Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 7 Aug. 2025
Each frame is down-sampled to a lower resolution, then subjected to basic pixel/image analysis such as luminescence (brightness) and color extraction, brightness gradient analysis and texture analysis.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Dec. 2017
See All Example Sentences for luminescence
Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
When placed under ultraviolet lighting, six species of the critters were found to emit a green luminescence.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Stratus clouds are gray layers, sometimes with variances in their luminescence.
—Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 7 Aug. 2025
Each frame is down-sampled to a lower resolution, then subjected to basic pixel/image analysis such as luminescence (brightness) and color extraction, brightness gradient analysis and texture analysis.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Dec. 2017
See All Example Sentences for luminescence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminescence
Noun
-
Place an orb light on the bottom shelf to lend your bedroom a cozy glow.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
-
The milky texture glides effortlessly over the skin, leaving a smooth finish and a natural, healthy glow.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The stars burn brightly here, shielded from light pollution and city glare, and the rock formations are eerily beautiful in silhouette.—
Tamara Gane,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
-
No glare or sunlight coming through onto the pitch as a result.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Lamps can also create a more relaxed atmosphere in the evenings, when bright overhead lights often feel too harsh.—
Natasha Bazika,
Martha Stewart,
14 June 2026
-
All of which casts the UFC fights for America's 250th birthday in a different light, says Zelizer.—
Danielle Kurtzleben,
NPR,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Then buff the steel with a dry cloth, wiping in the same direction as the metal's grain to bring back that gleam.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
-
After a while, though, all the professions of sincerity and thanks, the constant invocations of the one true POTUS, and the worshipful exhibits upstairs give the whole place a cultish, nostalgic gleam.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Julia Newman, principal and founder of Julia Adele Design, recommends choosing bulbs around 2700K, which create a softer, more flattering illumination.—
Natasha Bazika,
Martha Stewart,
14 June 2026
-
Turtle-friendly bulbs could provide a solution without skimping on illumination.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Luminescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminescence. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
