Skip to content
GREMockTests
GRE vocabulary

lackluster

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore L words

lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; not impressive

Word origin: From lack plus luster, brightness, from Latin lustrare, to illuminate.

Test your vocabulary in a real test Full-length · no signup · instant score
In a sentence

Lackluster in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing lackluster in a sentence.

Critics called the film's lackluster ending a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise gripping story.

The team's lackluster performance in the second half cost them a lead they had built with ease.

Synonyms
dullmediocreuninspiredflat
Antonyms
brilliantvibrantinspiredimpressive
Usage & nuance

Using “lackluster” well

Lackluster describes a lack of vitality or brilliance, something that fails to impress, and it contrasts with vibrant and brilliant.

Common questions

Questions about “lackluster

Lackluster (adjective) means lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; not impressive
Here is lackluster used in an example sentence: "Critics called the film's lackluster ending a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise gripping story." Another example: "The team's lackluster performance in the second half cost them a lead they had built with ease."
Common synonyms for lackluster include dull, mediocre, uninspired, flat.
Antonyms of lackluster include brilliant, vibrant, inspired, impressive.
Lackluster clusters with dull, mediocre, uninspired, and flat. Its antonyms brilliant, vibrant, inspired, and impressive mark the contrast.
Yes. Lackluster is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

See these words the way the GRE tests them.

Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.