glisten 1 of 2

verb

ˈgli-sᵊn How to pronounce glisten (audio)
Definition of glistennext
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light this seemingly dull opal really glistens in full light

Synonyms & Similar Words

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glisten

2 of 2

noun

as in gleam

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glisten contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glisten are flash, gleam, glimmer, glint, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When would flash be a good substitute for glisten?

The words flash and glisten can be used in similar contexts, but flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When could gleam be used to replace glisten?

Although the words gleam and glisten have much in common, 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 glisten?

The words glimmer and glisten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When might glint be a better fit than glisten?

While in some cases nearly identical to glisten, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is it sensible to use glitter instead of glisten?

The meanings of glitter and glisten largely overlap; however, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When can shimmer be used instead of glisten?

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

a shimmering satin dress

In what contexts can sparkle take the place of glisten?

The synonyms sparkle and glisten are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 glisten
Verb
Two decades on, the millennial glisten has given way to organic austerity; the dominant tones are now ocher and umber, turmeric and coffee. —Martha Schwendener, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Loading your audio article There was a glisten in her eyes. —Susan Mathison, Hartford Courant, 23 Feb. 2024
Noun
The afro-mohawk, big gold chain, sideburns, yellow sleeveless vest, blue shorts and a layer of sweat that glistened his forehead. —Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025 Raw Murder Point oysters are served with a straightforward mignonette, smoked beets glisten with orange trout roe, a color combo inspiring enough to inform a fashionista. —Beth D'addono, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glisten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glisten
  1. gleam
  2. glow
  3. shimmer
  4. glint
  5. shine
  6. glare
  7. sparkle
  8. glimmer
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
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • The glow of zodiacal light aligns with the ecliptic — the sun’s path through the zodiac constellations and the plane of the solar system — which is steep at the equator and sloped at mid-northern latitudes.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • For a soft, diffused glow, opt for a linen or paper shade that allows light to permeate the material.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of glow
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
Definition of shimmer
Noun
  • Top it off with a glint of silver.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The glint and thrum of Y2K aesthetics—as contrasted with the droning conservatism of the white-collar office—read as anticipatory rather than melancholic, looking toward a future liberated from systems of old.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
Definition of glint
Verb
  • With my combination skin, shine always creeps in after a few hours.
    — Lily Wohlner, Allure, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Renewables are intermittent, though—the sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow.
    — Michaila Byrne, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of shine
Noun
  • Sidewalk glare to in-office fluorescents are no match for this mineral SPF 30 that delivers with a Swiss clock’s precision.
    — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Apple has applied an anti-reflective coating to ward off glare to all of the new iPhones, while the S25 Ultra is the only S25 with that feature.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of glare
Verb
  • Available on the Apple Bottoms website, fans can get a bundle featuring the jeans and sparkling water as well as a tank top, keychain, mini denim clutch and iron-on patch.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Floating at the edge of the rooftop while the entire city sparkled below us was surreal.
    — Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of sparkle
Noun
  • The mid-quarter update offered a glimmer of hope after Six Flags’ disastrous second quarter earnings report in August.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Almost certainly out this week also is injured receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who provided most of the scant glimmers of hope in the Super Bowl with eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of glimmer

Browse Nearby Words

glints
glisten
glistened
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Cite this Entry

“Glisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glisten. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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