glisten 1 of 2

verb

ˈgli-sᵊn How to pronounce glisten (audio)
Definition of glistennext
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light this seemingly dull opal really glistens in full light

Synonyms & Similar Words

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glisten

2 of 2

noun

as in gleam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glisten contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glisten are flash, gleam, glimmer, glint, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When would flash be a good substitute for glisten?

The words flash and glisten can be used in similar contexts, but flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When could gleam be used to replace glisten?

Although the words gleam and glisten have much in common, 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 glisten?

The words glimmer and glisten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When might glint be a better fit than glisten?

While in some cases nearly identical to glisten, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is it sensible to use glitter instead of glisten?

The meanings of glitter and glisten largely overlap; however, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When can shimmer be used instead of glisten?

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

a shimmering satin dress

In what contexts can sparkle take the place of glisten?

The synonyms sparkle and glisten are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 glisten
Verb
Everything that is glistening isn’t gold and requires organizations to approach it with caution. —Shane Buckley, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Men sweating in the weight room, women glistening in the aerobics studio—was the gym ever as segregated as that ready image? —Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
Noun
Two decades on, the millennial glisten has given way to organic austerity; the dominant tones are now ocher and umber, turmeric and coffee. —Martha Schwendener, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 As the twinkle of bulbous holiday ornaments fade away, the gilded glisten of the 2024 Golden Globes arrives, and EW has some bold predictions for winners in the major categories that could be handed out during Sunday's ceremony. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 5 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for glisten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glisten
  1. gleam
  2. glow
  3. shimmer
  4. glint
  5. shine
  6. glare
  7. sparkle
  8. glimmer
Verb
  • Grace Karin Zip-Front Midi Dress with Pockets A gleaming gold zipper down the front lends a dramatic flourish to this little black dress with a banded waist and cap sleeves.
    — Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 30 May 2025
  • The futuristic design features gleaming white concrete, glass and water in a complex of five buildings designed by famous Spanish architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela in 1998.
    — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • This view of the Truman Home at 215 N. Delaware Street in Independence carries the Kodachrome glow of the 1950s.
    — Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • But as the glow of last year’s AI hype fades, reality is setting in: Companies that rushed toward shiny new tech without fixing their foundations are now struggling to scale it.
    — Kristin Russel, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Spanning the entire 32nd floor of the Olympia Dumbo and going for $19.5 million, the five-bedroom aerie offers spine-tingling views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges plus shimmering New York Harbor and skyline vistas for your own main-character brooding.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 2 June 2025
  • Just beyond the levee, the Sacramento River shimmered.
    — Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of shimmer
Noun
  • From the windows of her family’s 14th-floor apartment, Alvarez was transfixed by the view of cars threading along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the glint of the Manhattan Bridge.
    — Elly Fishman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • The images often frame Bono in shadow, with glints of light around him, lending a chiaroscuro elegance to his presence.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025
Definition of glint
Verb
  • Then, on June 11, the full moon in your light shines a light on your inner world and personal foundation, urging you to prioritize yourself before devoting all your focus to a relationship.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • Philadelphia's front line on defense shined bright against Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, and showed teams across the league just how much of a difference-maker a relentless pass rush can be.
    — Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Definition of shine
Noun
  • The Indy native has seen the city thrive under the glare of two NBA All-Star Games, the CFP national championship game, and dozens of other national and international championships.
    — Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • It is formulated with LED lights with glare control and low optical flicker for eye care.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025
Definition of glare
Verb
  • The former just sparkled on the cover of Sports Illustrated in a glittering green two-piece set that looks like this one from Amazon.
    — Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 27 May 2025
  • Instead, try drinking sparkling water and eating more fish and whole grains.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
Definition of sparkle
Noun
  • Sinner gave him almost no chances, but there was a glimmer of light in the 10th game, when Djokovic had four chances to break Sinner’s serve.
    — Jerome Pugmire, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • The shoes and matching Bon Bon bag added a splash of color and glimmer to the look.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
Definition of glimmer

Browse Nearby Words

glints
glisten
glistened
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glisten. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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