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
With piercing rumbles, flickering gleams and heaps of fan interaction, Cain's concert felt more like an interactive theatrical experience. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025 Light up the lake at Great Parks Spark in the Dark Illuminate the night by floating on glowing boats as the water glints and gleams. —Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 18 July 2025
Verb
Stewart wore a pinkish brown tweed jacket with a double-breasted silhouette, peaked lapels, structured shoulders with shoulder pads, and gleaming golden buttons. —Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025 Marble floors gleamed beneath towering columns, and the chandeliers cast a warm, golden light. —Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 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
  • Inside Lenox, palm fronds throw shimmering shadows and rattan lampshades cast a lazy glow.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The center beam shows color and detail clearly, while the outer glow only catches movement.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Braided glacial rivers cut through valleys, and massive ice caps glint in the distance.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Pans, scoured, hung from hooks; knives glinted in ascending size.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Definition of glint
Noun
  • Sidewalk glare to in-office fluorescents are no match for this mineral SPF 30 that delivers with a Swiss clock’s precision.
    — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Apple has applied an anti-reflective coating to ward off glare to all of the new iPhones, while the S25 Ultra is the only S25 with that feature.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of glare
Verb
  • The first photo in the carousel showed Brooks posing with her arms wrapped around her husband-to-be, flashing her ring as the couple posed for the camera in the black-and-white shot.
    — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding.
    — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of flash
Noun
  • His sacrifice will endure as a guiding light for generations.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Being able to generate code was finally getting a chance to shine in the bright lights of another erstwhile reason to use generative AI and LLMs.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of light
Verb
  • The sun shimmering and setting at the same time.
    — Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Heat oil in pan over medium heat until shimmering.
    — Faye Levy, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of shimmer
Verb
  • Available on the Apple Bottoms website, fans can get a bundle featuring the jeans and sparkling water as well as a tank top, keychain, mini denim clutch and iron-on patch.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Floating at the edge of the rooftop while the entire city sparkled below us was surreal.
    — Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of sparkle
Verb
  • And when the sun sets, the prairie’s endless horizon really shines—welcoming bright, twinkling stars.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The white beard, the twinkling eyes behind round spectacles, the mustache curled with wax at its ends are all real, all his.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2025.

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