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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 The development pre-built its luxuriant landscaping and outdoor plazas, then incorporated an indoor golf simulator, fitness center and café as tenant amenities. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 One Madison’s slate of attractions includes a public gym (run by Chelsea Piers Fitness) so spacious and luxuriant that members might be tempted to move in. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 21 Nov. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for luxuriant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luxuriant
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • Manufacturing is a fertile ground for AI applications.
    John Clemons, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Social media platforms like TikTok have become fertile ground for unfounded theories that President Donald Trump will declare martial law on April 20 — despite any supporting evidence.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Reviewers praise the smooth, luxurious feel of this comforter.
    Jamie Ballard, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Hotel Del Salto, originally a luxurious residence, became a hotel in 1928 to cater to the Colombian elite visiting Tequendama Falls.
    Josh Rivera, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Oh, one more sign of spring: A player in a green hat standing in front of his locker stall, speaking softly, trying to explain — to reporters, to himself, to the heavens — that being down 1-0 in a series really isn’t a big deal.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Every District 5 resident deserves safety, green spaces, and good-paying jobs to strengthen the East Side.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 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
  • The prolific interest around natural wines in the past decade has permitted a new audience for organic wines as many natural wines are a result of organic practices, even if they may not be certified organic.
    Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Don Mischer, a prolific live event director and 15-time Emmy winner, died April 11, Variety has confirmed.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 12 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 23 Apr. 2025.

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