glint 1 of 2

verb

ˈglint How to pronounce glint (audio)
Definition of glintnext
1
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light the cat's eyes glinted in the moonlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to glance
to take a quick or hasty look the thief glinted around the corner to see if anyone was coming

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

glint

2 of 2

noun

as in gleam

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
And those iconic scenes of Brad Pitt casting his fishing line glinting in the sun? —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Nov. 2025 Picture guests arriving for the holidays, headlights glinting off the curve of an elegant half-moon drive as the scent of salt air drifts in from Buzzards Bay. —Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Shades of champagne, tan, and bronze eyeshadow glint on the lids of every celebrity; pinky-nude lip glosses abound, and clean-girl-friendly cream blushes are everywhere. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026 The scene has the glint of macabre humor. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glint
  1. gleam
  2. glance
  3. glow
  4. peek
  5. glare
  6. glimpse
  7. glimmer
  8. shimmer
Verb
  • The rooms Supremely comfy, with no gimmicky surprises — just proper, old-school amenities, the plumpest beds and (16 types of) pillows, and gleaming bathrooms decked in mottled marble.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
  • This budget-friendly dish soap will get your dishes gleaming.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of gleam
Verb
  • For much of the New Deal legislation passed, the executive branch drafted the legislation and sent it to Congress, which approved it after glancing at it — or not looking at all, Yoo said.
    — Mikayla Bunnell, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The space weather center warns that the material could bring possible glancing influences that could cause weak power grid fluctuations.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of glance
Noun
  • Inside, a long mahogany counter glows beneath warm gold walls, where bartenders move with precision through a selection of classics and inventive cocktails built on bold spirits and house infusions.
    — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The charm and glow of Buckaroo outweigh the growing pains.
    — David Glickman, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • The sun highlighted the red in her hair and peeked in the corner of the photo.
    — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Bring back to a simmer and cook, without peeking, for 5 minutes or so.
    — Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of peek
Noun
  • Cold storage facilities have long struggled to automate inventory management due to frost, airflow, condensation, and glare, all of which degrade conventional sensors and scanning systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Whether hiking through bright sunlight, overcast skies, or snowy conditions where the sun glare is reflected, Knockaround does an excellent job of reducing the haze and glare.
    — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of glare
Verb
  • Better just to glimpse, out of the corner of his eye, the obelisk with its modernist air rising up in the center of the plaza and only get a fleeting, distant view of the wind rose at its base.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
  • First glimpsed in some of JWST’s earliest images, LRDs remain one of the telescope’s biggest surprises—ruby-red objects that shine like a star but may reach up to 500 light-years in size.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of glimpse
Noun
  • Some believe the ouster of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro offers a glimmer of hope for rebuilding institutions and guaranteeing citizens’ rights.
    — CNN 9 hr ago, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • For Palestinians on the ground, the crossing reopening would be a small glimmer of light.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Noun
  • The model added a slight shimmer to her ensemble by decorating her Saint Laurent slingback pumps with dangling diamond anklets.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The newest wave of cat-eye nails features ultra-fine shimmer that reflects like crystal-clear glass.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of shimmer

Browse Nearby Words

glimpsing
glint
glinted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glint. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on glint

Nglish: Translation of glint for Spanish Speakers

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