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as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously a luxuriant coat of fur

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word luxuriant distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of luxuriant are exuberant, lavish, lush, prodigal, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When is exuberant a more appropriate choice than luxuriant?

In some situations, the words exuberant and luxuriant are roughly equivalent. However, exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When could lavish be used to replace luxuriant?

While the synonyms lavish and luxuriant are close in meaning, lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

In what contexts can lush take the place of luxuriant?

The meanings of lush and luxuriant largely overlap; however, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

Where would prodigal be a reasonable alternative to luxuriant?

Although the words prodigal and luxuriant have much in common, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When might profuse be a better fit than luxuriant?

The words profuse and luxuriant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

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 luxuriant This was a man who had lengthy experience in surviving far from luxuriant conditions, firstly from his time living with the destitute of Paris and London as part of his first successful non-fiction volume and secondly as a fighter for the Republican cause in the Spanish Civil War. Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2024 Like Alfonso Arau’s decadent film, the amount of time spent on food in the series is almost luxuriant, adding to the sensuality of the story. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024 The name reflects the fact nature is infused into every aspect of the hostelry, from luxuriant plantings to the names given the 179 guest rooms, each a reference to a different bird or flower. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Inspired by the legendary charm and elegance of such European capitals as Seville and Venice, Merrick stipulated the inclusion of circuitous byways, landscaped medians and luxuriant frondescence. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for luxuriant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luxuriant
Adjective
  • The costumes, courtesy of designers Debra Hanson and Nooks Lindell, were frequently sourced from or created by Inuit artisans — including the characters’ enviable parkas, trimmed in lush fur or bordered with vibrant patterns.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The courtyard installation was curated by the renowned international studio Mary Lennox, who created walls of greenery in hyper-realistic volumes where small openings in the lush vegetation house unique and surprising ceramic pieces.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • More recently, China’s rampant overfishing of its own coastal waters has meant expanding fishing in the South China Sea and using fishing fleets to assert new territorial claims.
    Bradley J. Cardinale, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Economic piracy in Southeast Asia is especially rampant in the Strait of Malacca, a critical shipping channel off the coast of Malaysia.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Its possible role in the emergence of the Ediacaran fauna has long been debated, with some researchers suggesting that the melting ice released nutrients into the sea, providing a fertile ground for complex life to evolve.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Communities with vaccination rates below the 95% threshold necessary to maintain herd immunity become fertile ground for measles outbreaks.
    Dr. Josh Green, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Known to design beautiful, luxurious structures on a massive, grand scale--Nobu, W Hotels, Union Square Cafe, to name a few--Rockwell Group created a space for Metropolis that is undeniably a theatrical statement.
    Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The trend among the elite to use self-care as a luxurious commodity rather than a conduit for genuine restoration turns self-care into a performance of power and a tool of exclusivity.
    Akilah Sailers, Essence, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Currently, a pastel purple bag is listed on eBay for $1,600, a pastel blue tote is priced at $1,400, a pastel green bag is going for $1,100, while one pastel pink tote was listed for $999.99.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Dark trees backlit by dawn and dusk light not only show loads of shadow detail but even retain their green color (when nearly all saturation is usually lost by LED TVs).
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Fire is a natural part of ecosystems in the Southeast, often burning through weedy shrubs and enabling native plants to grow without as much competition.
    Kiley Price, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Then, prune overgrown trees and shrubs, trim tall grasses and weedy areas, mow regularly to keep your lawn cut close, and consider calling a chimney sweep to clean out your chimney.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Throughout his prolific career in Hollywood, the actor dated fellow A-listers, including Cher, Cindy Crawford and Angelina Jolie.
    Adam England, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • There was a moment when such industry stalwarts as producer J.J. Abrams or management mogul and L.A. Olympics czar Casey Wasserman, both prolific Democratic bundlers, seemed poised to assume the perch vacated by Katzenberg, but neither has yet met the challenge.
    Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Lately, she's been in promotion mode for her project Eternal Sunshine, and fans just received even more to love from this era with the deluxe reissue Brighter Days Ahead.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In just over one year, Ariana Grande released her seventh studio album Eternal Sunshine on March 8, 2024, then starred in the Oscar-winning movie musical Wicked that hit theaters in November, and has now returned with the Brighter Days Ahead deluxe reissue of that album on March 28.
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Luxuriant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luxuriant. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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