lush 1 of 2

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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

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
The lush hideaway once owned by the Oscar-winning actress and her longtime cinematographer husband Danny Moder just hit the market on Kauai’s North Shore for $30 million. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 22 May 2025 What follows is a frantic dash across land and sea, dusty deserts and lush jungles, to meet with business associates, while also dodging constant assassination attempts on Korda and attempting to solve the mystery that still surrounds the death of his first wife and Liesl’s mother. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 20 May 2025
Noun
Bell's Brewery has big plans for 2023: 5 top takeaways WeldWerks opened in Greeley in 2015 and quickly became a cult favorite in a state lush with craft beer. Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2023 In West Long Beach, Ms. Hollins has lived and worked for the past 30 years out of her one-story ranch house, set on a property lush with trees, native plants and shrubbery. Eileen Guo, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for lush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lush
Adjective
  • Those bags protect the fruits from rats and green beetles, too.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
  • In 2020, the pair launched The Earthshot Prize – an ambitious environmental initiative that seeks to offer green solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including ocean protection.
    Olivia Kemp, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • This is in large part due to rampant theft of familiar old-school icons; items like My Computer, Calculator, Minesweeper, Search, and more look like they were taken directly from a classic Microsoft tile set.
    John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2025
  • The measure’s path through Congress has been fraught given the G.O.P.’s tiny margins of control in both chambers and rampant divisions within its ranks.
    Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • My favorite way to use it up is by making zucchini butter—a luscious, versatile spread that is just as delicious on sandwiches as it is tossed with pasta.
    Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 May 2025
  • Fried rice is delicious on its own, but a block of extra-firm tofu can make this dish significantly more substantial and filling.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Those early investments in community development and youth engagement laid the foundation for what is now a thriving professional ecosystem.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Josh Kraft will deliver a more livable and thriving city for all Bostonians.
    Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • The skirt flared softly at the hem, offering movement and bit of drama, a silhouette that felt sensual without trying too hard.
    Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 30 May 2025
  • As a reminder, here's how Scorsese and the three-time Oscar winner worked together to make romantic sublimation and repressed emotions weirdly sensual.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The result is a book that covers plenty of fertile ground.
    Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2025
  • Marvel is a fertile breeding ground for indie filmmakers who seek to make the leap to bigger budgets and studio franchise films.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • If a parent is an alcoholic, their child will either also become one or never drink a drop of it in their life.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 May 2025
  • In 1978, the year after Crawford’s death, Christina published Mommie Dearest, a memoir of her childhood that alleged child abuse and portrayed the star as an emotionally volatile alcoholic, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
    Julie Tremaine, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For so long, among an army of foes, cocaine led the charge, but, in time, so did the booze.
    Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The next day, the FWC found 61 empty booze bottles and cans on the boat, which had been carrying 12 underage girls.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lush. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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