Resplendent
adjective /rɪˈsplendənt/ — Dazzling in the best possible way.
Definition
Attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or elaborate.
Beyond the definition
The visual equivalent of the word 'magnificent.' Reserved for moments when something is so visually striking that ordinary words feel inadequate.
Origin & history
From Latin resplendere — to shine brightly (re- 'again' + splendere 'to shine').
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She arrived resplendent in a deep crimson gown that silenced the room.
The palace was resplendent in gold and marble.
The peacock stood resplendent in the morning light.
Synonyms
dazzling, magnificent, splendid, glorious, brilliant
Antonyms
dull, plain, unremarkable
Related words
- luminous
- iridescent
- opulent
- sumptuous
Resplendent vs magnificent
Resplendent refers to a dazzling, visual beauty or shining appearance. Magnificent is a broader term for something grand, impressive, or excellent in quality or scale.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Illustrative example
Peafowl gathered on a lawn
Blue male peafowl and brown female peafowl gather together on a lawn, displaying varied plumage and impressive natural forms.
The visual richness and elaborate patterns of the birds serve as a testament to an impressive, attractive appearance that demands notice, effectively grounding the concept of being richly and visually striking.
Image credit: VT98Fan · CC BY-SA 3.0 (license)
Resized and converted to WebP; full composition retained.