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glint

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glint contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glint are flash, gleam, glimmer, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is flash a more appropriate choice than glint?

The words flash and glint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When would gleam be a good substitute for glint?

The synonyms gleam and glint are sometimes interchangeable, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

Where would glimmer be a reasonable alternative to glint?

The meanings of glimmer and glint largely overlap; however, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When might glisten be a better fit than glint?

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

glistening wet sidewalk

In what contexts can glitter take the place of glint?

While in some cases nearly identical to glint, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When is it sensible to use shimmer instead of glint?

While the synonyms shimmer and glint are close in meaning, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When could sparkle be used to replace glint?

In some situations, the words sparkle and glint are roughly equivalent. 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 glint
Verb
The man opened his hand, and the stadium lights reflected, at last, on a glint of silver. Jason Anthony, The Atlantic, 14 June 2025 There are also some unexpected turns, like Glinda walking down the aisle toward Fiyero and a glint of Dorothy's silver shoes, moments not found in the stage version. EW.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
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 My living friends teeth glinting in the low light silverware against ceramic Tarsus, manus, stinger, legs. Safia Elhillo, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for glint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glint
Verb
  • In its place, Pacers Sports and Entertainment is building a gleaming new $78 million performance facility for the Indiana Fever.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 29 July 2025
  • Its modern aesthetic borders on too plain, though its gleaming aluminum finish exudes a premium feel and impressive strength.
    Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Younger fans and those who only glance at the cover will not be able to pick up the subtle satirical message Carpenter is claiming to convey.
    Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
  • Troopers spotted damage that looked like a glancing impact from a projectile below the front passenger door window.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 28 July 2025
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
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • When the moon sits in the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, the sun’s rays peek out from behind the moon and give it a reddish hue, according to London’s Natural History Museum.
    Gina Park, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
  • But the tree was perfectly elegant, its green boughs peeking above the low-slung roof covered in traditional gray clay tiles.
    Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025
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
Verb
  • Only during a total solar eclipse can the corona be glimpsed from Earth’s surface, and even then, only for a few minutes from any one location.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Read More: How Insecurity Became the New Inequality The widespread embrace of these ideas can be glimpsed in the publication of Cato’s Letters in the Boston Independent Advertiser in 1748.
    Time, Time, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Despite the serious nature of the diagnosis, Ospreay offered a glimmer of hope.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
  • In the past year, there was a little glimmer of recovery: Earnings were up about 22% on a 2.7% revenue increase.
    John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glint. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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