lush 1 of 2

Definition of lushnext
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as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously lush dandelions had turned the meadow into a sea of yellow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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lush

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lush distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

a lush green lawn

When would exuberant be a good substitute for lush?

The words exuberant and lush can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When is lavish a more appropriate choice than lush?

The meanings of lavish and lush largely overlap; however, lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When is it sensible to use luxuriant instead of lush?

The words luxuriant and lush are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When could prodigal be used to replace lush?

In some situations, the words prodigal and lush are roughly equivalent. However, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When can profuse be used instead of lush?

Although the words profuse and lush have much in common, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

How is the word lush distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

a lush green lawn

When would exuberant be a good substitute for lush?

The words exuberant and lush can be used in similar contexts, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When is lavish a more appropriate choice than lush?

The meanings of lavish and lush largely overlap; however, lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When is it sensible to use luxuriant instead of lush?

The words luxuriant and lush are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When could prodigal be used to replace lush?

In some situations, the words prodigal and lush are roughly equivalent. However, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When can profuse be used instead of lush?

Although the words profuse and lush have much in common, 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 lush
Adjective
Ornate ironwork, bridges, waterfalls, a snaking river, and lush landscaping make this an enjoyable spot to stroll and relax. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026 The lush, colorful plants are popular in the flower garden as well as the vegetable garden. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
The key moment in the film is a montage of the lovers absconding to Chris’s Malibu getaway for a trip that’s ridiculously, car-commercial lush. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024 Verdict: Mulligan’s kooky cameo imbues this tragic lush with a dash of camp. Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for lush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lush
Adjective
  • Fountains and green spaces give kids room to burn off energy, and public art adds interest for all ages.
    Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The country is launching a blue economy blueprint to harmonize policies toward aquaculture, renewable ocean energy, green shipping, and ecotourism.
    Angelica Ang, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Eventually the boys split into two camps, paranoia runs rampant and deadly violence ensues.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Earthquakes, firebombing, and rampant development have left few examples of old architecture in Tokyo, but in 1993 the Tokyo government set aside about seventeen acres for this collection of historic buildings, which range from farmhouses and soy-sauce shops to private homes and public bathhouses.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Houston is a mecca for high-calorie delicious meals.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
  • But, the second, is that marigolds will make your carrots sweeter and more delicious thanks to increasing the carotenoid content and sugars within the carrots.
    Heather Bien, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Amazing was part of a thriving genre of periodicals that included Astounding Stories of Super-Science (later Analog Science Fiction and Fact) and Galaxy Science Fiction.
    Chris Klimek, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Among the many paying tribute to Thomas were those whose appreciation stretched back through his long career to his family roots in the thriving Yiddish theater scene of early 20th-century America.
    Penny Schwartz, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • From cheeky shots of celebrities like Jane Fonda and Arnold Schwarzenegger to extravagant, sensual portfolios of America’s Olympic squads, the magazine’s pantheon of photographers have helped to define the genre of sports portraiture.
    Jonathan Pace, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Here, the sado-sensual yearning of the Confederacy to instantiate itself through the fetishes and reliquaries of figurative sculpture is shown as hollow, impotent, all too discomfiting, and very real.
    Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • California’s fertile farm fields once enticed thousands of Dust Bowl refugees fleeing along Route 66 during the Great Depression.
    Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • This was a fertile area to find an offensive lineman, and Bell was the one who stood out to the Eagles.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Jones was a sometimes violent alcoholic, and Wynette developed a lifelong addiction to painkillers after a botched hysterectomy.
    David Faris, TheWeek, 24 Apr. 2026
  • AlAnon is a support group for family and friends of alcoholics/addicts.
    Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The characters can be flawed, and cars can crash, McDermott says, but NASCAR wanted race scenes to look authentic and was adamant that the series not depict anyone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • To participate, travelers must be 21 or older, the legal age to purchase alcohol in the United States.
    Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lush. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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