glimmer 1 of 2

glimmer

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glimmer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glimmer are flash, gleam, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

Where would flash be a reasonable alternative to glimmer?

In some situations, the words flash and glimmer are roughly equivalent. However, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When could gleam be used to replace glimmer?

The words gleam and glimmer can be used in similar contexts, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When is it sensible to use glint instead of glimmer?

The synonyms glint and glimmer are sometimes interchangeable, but glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

In what contexts can glisten take the place of glimmer?

The meanings of glisten and glimmer largely overlap; however, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When is glitter a more appropriate choice than glimmer?

While the synonyms glitter and glimmer are close in meaning, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When would shimmer be a good substitute for glimmer?

Although the words shimmer and glimmer have much in common, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When can sparkle be used instead of glimmer?

The words sparkle and glimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 glimmer
Noun
The greatest movie stars are ones that combine their raw skill with a kind of ineffable glimmer. Esther Zuckerman, Time, 29 Aug. 2025 Dave Dombrowski is clinging to any glimmer of hope Romano can be serviceable to justify signing him, but there's no remaining hope for him. Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
Nothing is, in this diffuse, glimmering patchwork world. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025 Where a cistern once hid beneath the floor to collect rainwater, an outdoor pool now glimmers. Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer
Noun
  • Check out our hints and answers right here.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • From cracks near its south pole, the moon blasts towering geysers of water vapor, ice and organic molecules into space, which are tantalizing hints of a hidden ocean that could, in theory, be habitable.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • One tendency breaker was the flea flicker to Raridon.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
  • With flicker free and low blue light technologies, KTC is touting the H27P3 for reducing eye strain, especially during extended work sessions.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By the time the final model strutted off the runway, the Pier 76 space was alive with cheers and cameras flashing against rows of gleaming cars.
    Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The pictures show the wide-eyed feline in a series of irresistible poses—lying on her back exposing her soft belly, sitting upright with her bright blue eyes gleaming, and playfully posing for the camera.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The perfume oil embraces every sugary, spicy aspect of vanilla, with the star ingredient rendered darker and even more delectable thanks to a generous sprinkling of cardamom, amber, and tonka bean.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Directed by genre-hopping Ben Wheatley and written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad from a story hatched by Kolstad and Odenkirk, the subversive Western is a take-no-prisoners gore fest that peppers all the visceral carnage with an equal sprinkling of dry wit.
    Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
  • Its juicy pork filling is supplemented by lightly sweet vermicelli noodles and crunchy carrot shreds.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Many folks are familiar with a version of this that includes grapes, but usually the chicken is cut or chopped into more distinct pieces or shreds.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
  • Add a splash when tossing pasta with sauce to help bind your dish together.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Sunroom’s Island Gum Drop is a tropical cocktail that layers Malibu, Malibu Banana and Malibu Mango with cranberry and pineapple juice for a sweet, fruit-forward splash of flavor.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glimmer. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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