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

Relevance

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
This has been a gleam in scientists’ eyes for quite some time. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 1 May 2025 Witness Killian Maddox, a bodybuilder whose formidable muscles gleam under golden light. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Up in the sky, the apartments in the gleaming towers of Billionaires’ Row sit idle while their owners decamp to one of their other homes, thousands of miles away. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 5 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 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 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
  • Key pieces range from a linen suit to slouchy knits glinting with Lurex.
    — Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 6 Feb. 2025
  • 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
Definition of glint
Noun
  • At one point, El Moussa's father could be observed getting upset and turning around to glare at the man.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 13 June 2025
  • Sometimes leaders, like astronomers, need tools to block out the glare and find the right path to new discoveries.
    — Eric Reicin, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Definition of glare
Verb
  • Steve’s first instinct is almost always to say something awful or unkind, and then Murray’s eyes flash a desire to take it back.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
  • Goldberg flashed a confused look after Behar's admission, as the audience applauded and conservative panelist Alyssa Farah Griffin laughed while segueing into her own point.
    — Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 11 June 2025
Definition of flash
Noun
  • The graphic aesthetic seems particularly noticeable in effects such as explosions or fires, and in the way shadow and light interact with the characters.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 6 June 2025
  • 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
Definition of light
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
Verb
  • In the video, Zimmerman tucked into a burger while wearing her sparkling white wedding gown.
    — Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • Photo : Niamh Whitty There are sparkling vantages of Courtmacsherry Bay.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 May 2025
Definition of sparkle
Verb
  • From dazzling diamond collars set with emeralds to circular blue titanium earrings twinkling with diamonds to flexible ceramic and diamond bracelets, Benoi offered a glamorous range of refined, red carpet-worthy jewels.
    — Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Ayer's clip featured a mesmerizing pan of Earth from space, twinkling with lights and colors that perfectly contrasted the dark surroundings in the galaxy.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of twinkle

Browse Nearby Words

glazing
gleam
gleamed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gleam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleam. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on gleam

Nglish: Translation of gleam for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All