gleam 1 of 2

noun

ˈglēm How to pronounce gleam (audio)
Definition of gleamnext
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible the door opened a crack and let in a gleam of light from the hallway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gleam

2 of 2

verb

as in to glint
to shoot forth bursts of light fine china and stemware gleaming in the candlelight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb gleam contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gleam are flash, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When is flash a more appropriate choice than gleam?

While the synonyms flash and gleam are close in meaning, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When might glimmer be a better fit than gleam?

While in some cases nearly identical to gleam, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When could glint be used to replace gleam?

Although the words glint and gleam have much in common, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

Where would glisten be a reasonable alternative to gleam?

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

glistening wet sidewalk

When is it sensible to use glitter instead of gleam?

The words glitter and gleam are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When would shimmer be a good substitute for gleam?

In some situations, the words shimmer and gleam are roughly equivalent. However, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When can sparkle be used instead of gleam?

The meanings of sparkle and gleam largely overlap; 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 gleam
Noun
Now and many generations later, Pickett Chapel continues to shake loose from disrepair as old gives way to a gleam like white hair on the aged. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Feb. 2025 Dad sat up tall, waving both hands around to his neighbors, that big gleam across his face. —Raj Tawney, People.com, 15 June 2025
Verb
Mayor Michelle Wu is determined to make Boston a gleaming, green utopia. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 22 July 2025 Nothing like the sleek, gleaming technology of today. —Noah Hawley, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gleam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleam
  1. glow
  2. glint
  3. glare
  4. flash
  5. light
  6. shimmer
  7. sparkle
  8. twinkle
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
Definition of glow
Verb
  • For many, Maine is a summer refuge—beaches with powdery sand and glinting grey-blue water intermingled with bucolic topography; mountains, lake houses.
    — Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
  • Sunlight glints off the water with a Mediterranean shimmer.
    — Alexandra Gillespie, AFAR Media, 23 June 2025
Definition of glint
Noun
  • Jessica Simpson is finding peace, purpose — and her voice again — far away from the glare of Hollywood.
    — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2025
  • It's been prominent for most of the year and will continue to be visible shortly after sunset for a few months, eventually becoming lost in the sun's glare in late November.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of glare
Verb
  • Highly deserving of its praise, having won the Nobel Prize in 2022, The Years is constantly moving, mimicking how time might feel stagnant and yet flashing before our eyes.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 29 July 2025
  • Aidan Chiles flashed potential with bouts of inconsistency in his first season with the Spartans after following coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Definition of flash
Noun
  • By comparing Type 1a supernovas at different distances and seeing how their light has been redshifted by the expansion of the universe, the value for the rate of expansion of the universe (the Hubble constant) can be obtained.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 July 2025
  • Choosing warmer-toned bulbs of less than 3,000 Kelvin for outdoor lights.
    — Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 24 July 2025
Definition of light
Verb
  • The lake shimmers below, and on clear mornings, the snowcapped head of Monte Rosa peeks out above.
    — Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The stage shimmered; Quincy’s name reverberated as the lineup rolled out: Tyrese, Robin Thicke, Al B. Sure!, SWV, Xscape, MC Lyte, The Pharcyde, and Mobb Deep — all artists whose sounds echo Jones’s genius.
    — Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of shimmer
Verb
  • There’s even a rare deal on SodaStream sparkling water maker, which allows club soda fans to make their own fizzy water at home instead of barreling through wasteful cans and plastic bottles.
    — Clara McMahon, People.com, 26 July 2025
  • Between adding grated lemon zest to the breading mix and folding lemon into the dressing, cookbook author Jessica Merchant riffs on Caesar salad in a way that sparkles with citrus brightness.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
Definition of sparkle
Verb
  • Others at the ceremony were also dressed appropriately — guests rocked tunics and armor fit for a knight — for the castle nuptials, during which G Flip could be seen reading off of a piece of paper under twinkling lights.
    — Bailey Richards, People.com, 27 July 2025
  • But hidden beneath the twinkling lights is a powerhouse of technology that brings Disney Starlight to life.
    — Megan duBois, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of twinkle

Browse Nearby Words

glazing
gleam
gleamed
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Cite this Entry

“Gleam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleam. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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