as in gleams
to shoot forth bursts of light
this seemingly dull opal really glistens in full light
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of glistens
Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
For a steak that glistens, brush on some vegetable glycerin.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Mar. 2026
Keep it cute and simple with a purple manicure that glistens.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Outside of those windows is Lake Michigan, which glistens in the sun during the day and glows under the moon at night.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Ahead, discover our top picks for organizers, including a freestanding unit that can double as a washing machine hutch and a glass-shelf piece that glistens in chrome.
—Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 15 Jan. 2026
Carved from a block of white and green jadeite, the remarkably realistic sculpture of a Chinese cabbage glistens as if freshly picked from a field, still wet with morning dew.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Plus, the silk proteins penetrate the cuticles to soften and boost shine so hair becomes more manageable and glistens in the light.
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2025
The pork belly glistens with fat, slightly scorched from the charcoal grill and plated next to an artful swipe of gochujang.
—Janelle Bitker, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Aug. 2019
Verb
When the weather is good, the water glistens on the River Mersey and the nearby docks, fans can walk to the ground, and all feels right with the world.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
For a steak that glistens, brush on some vegetable glycerin.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Mar. 2026
Keep it cute and simple with a purple manicure that glistens.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Outside of those windows is Lake Michigan, which glistens in the sun during the day and glows under the moon at night.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Ahead, discover our top picks for organizers, including a freestanding unit that can double as a washing machine hutch and a glass-shelf piece that glistens in chrome.
—Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 15 Jan. 2026
Carved from a block of white and green jadeite, the remarkably realistic sculpture of a Chinese cabbage glistens as if freshly picked from a field, still wet with morning dew.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Plus, the silk proteins penetrate the cuticles to soften and boost shine so hair becomes more manageable and glistens in the light.
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2025
The pork belly glistens with fat, slightly scorched from the charcoal grill and plated next to an artful swipe of gochujang.
—Janelle Bitker, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistens
Verb
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Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
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Despite a couple of funky skips, the album is fueled by the hunger of an artist who really wants the pop life again, perking up electro-scuzz and arena rock with new wave that gleams like glitter.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Come evening, the pizza oven glows or a local farm-to-table chef cooks as the light fades.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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The blue-white light of the star Spica will be visible twinkling to the upper right of the lunar disk in the constellation Virgo, while the red supergiant Arcturus glows to its upper left in Bootes.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The perfectly symmetrical volcano is best viewed from Lake Kawaguchiko, where its reflection shimmers across the water.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
-
No longer dangling high above audience members, one of the most famous chandeliers in theater history now shimmers just inches from audience members.—
Abraham Swee,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Interior defensive line shines, edge rushers still growing One of the major surprises of the spring was Will Smith Jr.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Sandy shines, Marlins win to launch latest season of budget-ball // Sister Jean gone.—
Greg Cote
April 19,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Glistens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistens. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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