GLINT Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'glint' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glint are flash , gleam , glimmer , glisten , glitter , shimmer , and sparkle . While all these words mean "to send forth light," glint implies a cold glancing light. // glinting steel

Q: When is 'flash' a more appropriate choice than 'glint'?

The words flash and glint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light. // lightning flashed

Q: When would 'gleam' be a good substitute for 'glint'?

The synonyms gleam and glint are sometimes interchangeable, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background. // lights gleamed in the valley

Q: Where would 'glimmer' be a reasonable alternative to 'glint'?

The meanings of glimmer and glint largely overlap; however, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam. // a distant glimmering light

Q: When might 'glisten' be a better fit than 'glint'?

The words glisten and glint can be used in similar contexts, but glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface. // glistening wet sidewalk

Q: In what contexts can 'glitter' take the place of 'glint'?

While in some cases nearly identical to glint , glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming. // glittering diamonds

Q: When is it sensible to use 'shimmer' instead of 'glint'?

While the synonyms shimmer and glint are close in meaning, shimmer means shining with a wavering light. // a shimmering satin dress

Q: When could 'sparkle' be used to replace 'glint'?

In some situations, the words sparkle and glint are roughly equivalent. However, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light. // the sparkling waters

glint 1 of 2

verb

ˈglint

Definition of glint next

as in to gleam

to shoot forth bursts of light the cat's eyes glinted in the moonlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to glance

to take a quick or hasty look the thief glinted around the corner to see if anyone was coming

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

glint

2 of 2

noun

as in gleam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glint contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glint are flash, gleam, glimmer, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is flash a more appropriate choice than glint?

The words flash and glint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When would gleam be a good substitute for glint?

The synonyms gleam and glint are sometimes interchangeable, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

Where would glimmer be a reasonable alternative to glint?

The meanings of glimmer and glint largely overlap; however, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When might glisten be a better fit than glint?

The words glisten and glint can be used in similar contexts, but glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

In what contexts can glitter take the place of glint?

While in some cases nearly identical to glint, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When is it sensible to use shimmer instead of glint?

While the synonyms shimmer and glint are close in meaning, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When could sparkle be used to replace glint?

In some situations, the words sparkle and glint are roughly equivalent. However, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

Examples 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 glint

Verb

Our mother was at the wheel because Tom refused to learn to drive a car, while Ellen and I sat in the back seat, staring out anxiously from beneath a welter of books and the glinting gold wrappers of a dozen Cadbury Milks. —

Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024 At the corner of St. Peter and Royal Streets, a tuba begins its rumbling and a trombone squeals; the instruments sparkle in the sunlight, glinting gold amid a gathering crowd. —

Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024

Noun

Actual possession of a weapon is irrelevant and mistakes happen, Stephens said in court, adding that what matters is how Hill’s hand was presented with a glint of steel. —

Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024 There's an uncanny, alien quality to her voice, which unfurls like incense smoke, while the track's speckled bongos and subtle chimes glint like light reflected off a cocktail glass. —

EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glint

Verb

Four lowriders, parked alongside gas pumps, gleamed in the afternoon sun in Altadena.

— Ken Bensinger, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Venus and Saturn will appear in the southwest, Jupiter will gleam overhead, and Mars will appear to rise in the east.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025