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glint

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noun

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

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 glint
Verb
There are also some unexpected turns, like Glinda walking down the aisle toward Fiyero and a glint of Dorothy's silver shoes, moments not found in the stage version. EW.com, 5 June 2025 All eyes are on the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague next month, officials hoping for a glint of clarity on how the U.S. wants to remould its relations with Europe. Ellie Cook — Reporting From Rovajärvi, Northern Finland, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Noun
The Grammy-winning rapper sparkled in a sumptuous canary gown that glinted with the help of some reflective beading. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025 My living friends teeth glinting in the low light silverware against ceramic Tarsus, manus, stinger, legs. Safia Elhillo, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for glint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glint
Verb
  • Her white shirt would gleam like chrome under the metallic lights.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
  • The cars are dotted around in a kaleidoscope of colors, a stark contrast to the gleaming white factory floor.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • What To Know The study revealed that 21% of teen drivers' time on the road is spent glancing at their phones, with 26% of those glances lasting two seconds or longer.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • The 11-yard grounder glanced off Houston’s goalkeeper and into the goal.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • This facial will help restore your glow and your faith.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 22 July 2025
  • Its boat ride travels through a dark and dense indoor jungle filled with glow in the dark plants.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • Emotions like doubt or frustration may flash across the face in a split second.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Cameras flash as Combs addresses the crowd, presiding over the scene like a master of ceremonies — or something else entirely.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • When the moon sits in the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, the sun’s rays peek out from behind the moon and give it a reddish hue, according to London’s Natural History Museum.
    Gina Park, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
  • But the tree was perfectly elegant, its green boughs peeking above the low-slung roof covered in traditional gray clay tiles.
    Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • There wasn’t any glare to speak of, either, and mind you, our lab's overhead LEDs did try and create some.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 13 July 2025
  • Despite the glare on the windows and the people in the bar, the crowd attempted to take photos of Urban playing inside.
    Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Only during a total solar eclipse can the corona be glimpsed from Earth’s surface, and even then, only for a few minutes from any one location.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Read More: How Insecurity Became the New Inequality The widespread embrace of these ideas can be glimpsed in the publication of Cato’s Letters in the Boston Independent Advertiser in 1748.
    Time, Time, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Despite the serious nature of the diagnosis, Ospreay offered a glimmer of hope.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
  • In the past year, there was a little glimmer of recovery: Earnings were up about 22% on a 2.7% revenue increase.
    John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glint. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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