Quick answer
Resplendent means brilliantly shining, dazzlingly impressive, or richly splendid in appearance. It is usually pronounced , and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Resplendent
Resplendent describes someone or something that is brilliantly shining, dazzlingly impressive, or richly splendid in appearance. It belongs to pompous and grandiloquent words and works best in formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
pompousformalgrandiloquent
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If something is resplendent, it is brilliantly shining, dazzlingly impressive, or richly splendid in appearance. The word usually adds a stronger tone than a simpler adjective, which is why it suits formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight so well.
Why this word feels absurd
Resplendent feels absurd because its repeated sounds give it a bounce or wobble that makes the word feel half descriptive and half sound effect.
Origin and history
Resplendent is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Resplendent is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
Example sentences
- The review called the minister’s reply positively resplendent.
- One resplendent remark was enough to sour the entire meeting.
- The novel introduces a resplendent uncle who complains before breakfast.
- His resplendent tone made the ordinary objection sound much worse than it was.
- She likes the word because even the insult feels slightly theatrical when it is resplendent.
When should you use this word?
Use resplendent when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight.
Similar words
bloviation, bombast, calcified, contumelious, coruscating
Opposite or contrasting words
plain speech, brevity, simplicity
Common questions
- What does resplendent mean? brilliantly shining, dazzlingly impressive, or richly splendid in appearance.
- How do you pronounce resplendent? It is commonly pronounced .
- Is resplendent still used today? Resplendent is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
- When should you use resplendent? Use resplendent when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight.
- What words are similar to resplendent? Similar words include bloviation, bombast, calcified, and contumelious.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.