glimmer 1 of 2

noun

Definition of glimmernext
1
as in hint
a very small amount a glimmer of hope that there will be snow on Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flicker
an almost imperceptible sign of something most of the students showed not even a glimmer of interest in what I had to say

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

glimmer

2 of 2

verb

ˈgli-mər How to pronounce glimmer (audio)
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light the waters of the rippling brook glimmered in the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 surface of the bay glimmers all the way to the islands on the ethereal horizon. —Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2026 Game three offered a brief glimmer of order. —Ryan Brennan march 20, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
The moon is glimmering, the veil between worlds is thin and there’s an air of mischief lingering in the shadows. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025 Around a pond near the Lincoln Memorial, some 10,000 tea lights glimmered in little paper bags. —Noam Levey, NPR, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer
  1. hint
  2. flicker
  3. gleam
  4. sprinkling
  5. shimmer
  6. shred
  7. flash
  8. splash
Noun
  • The air smells damp and jungly (in the best possible way) and is sweetened with a hint of frangipani.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Researchers are now exploring Greenland shark genetics for clues about aging, finding hints of enhanced DNA repair and cellular maintenance that could slow aging at a fundamental level.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • In the future, Doral Hydrogen is also looking to replicate this off-grid model across its 1 GW global portfolio by proving that H2Pro’s hardware can handle the flicker of solar power without breaking.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The show struggles to illuminate the relationships between the characters or anything at all about Benton, from what his job actually is to even a flicker of a personality.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of flicker
Verb
  • Beyond it, glass cases gleam with Bvlgari jewels, while the polished marble surfaces shimmer in the light.
    — Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • But the approach matters more than most people realize, and getting the timing, tools and technique right can mean the difference between gleaming glass and a frustrating mess of streaks and residue.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • Their rare sprinkling of colorful choices throughout were even less appealing to the modern aesthete’s eye, right down to the pinkish-red bathroom.
    — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026
  • British broadcasting rules allowed for a liberal sprinkling of F-words.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Verb
  • But the song, which Springsteen also performed in 2016, shimmered on stage with Lofgren and Morello trading guitar solos and Springsteen finding his upper register to provoke a lump-in-throat moment.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • When oil is shimmering and easily slides across surface of pan, carefully add tofu in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown underneath, about 4-5 minutes.
    — Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of shimmer
Noun
  • Microplastics are tiny and sometimes invisible shreds of plastic that can be produced by the breakdown of plastic, the shedding of clothing fibers, manufacturing processes, and more.
    — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Rather than melting, the tangy, creamy pimento cheese spread, with cheese shreds still intact, created a bright counterpoint to the charred Angus beef smash burger.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of shred
Verb
  • There are blinking bacteria, flaming fungus, shimmering squid, and flashing fish.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
  • But someone might want to mention to the president that flashing a big gold statue of himself while cities are still doing cleanup from enormous No Kings marches might seem funny to some.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of flash
Noun
  • Fish them all out and blend with parm, butter, and a splash of the boiling water.
    — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • No more transferring hot soup to a blender, risking a dangerous splash of hot liquid.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of splash

Browse Nearby Words

gliding
glimmer
glimmered
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Cite this Entry

“Glimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glimmer. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on glimmer

Nglish: Translation of glimmer for Spanish Speakers

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