shimmer 1 of 2

verb

ˈshi-mər How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
Definition of shimmernext
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light a sequined dress shimmering under the studio lights

Synonyms & Similar Words

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shimmer

2 of 2

noun

as in glow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb shimmer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shimmer are flash, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When is it sensible to use flash instead of shimmer?

The meanings of flash and shimmer largely overlap; however, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When can gleam be used instead of shimmer?

While in some cases nearly identical to shimmer, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When could glimmer be used to replace shimmer?

In some situations, the words glimmer and shimmer are roughly equivalent. However, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

Where would glint be a reasonable alternative to shimmer?

The words glint and shimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

In what contexts can glisten take the place of shimmer?

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

glistening wet sidewalk

When might glitter be a better fit than shimmer?

While the synonyms glitter and shimmer are close in meaning, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When would sparkle be a good substitute for shimmer?

Although the words sparkle and shimmer have much in common, 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 shimmer
Verb
As auroral lights shimmered across skies all over the world on the night of May 10, Li’s friends and colleagues ventured outside to view the celestial light show. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2025 Its surface shimmers with a girlie patina of iridescent pink and turns stacks of abacus beads into bangle bracelets. —Deborah Solomon, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
Leighton Meester’s lids were covered in silvery flecks of shimmer that popped against the bronze eyeliner used on her waterline. —Claire Sullivan, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025 Celebrity nail artist Coca Michelle dresses up French chrome tips with loads of silver shimmer to give nails a cool velvet finish. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shimmer
  1. gleam
  2. glow
  3. glitter
  4. glare
  5. sparkle
  6. sheen
  7. flash
  8. glint
Verb
  • From gleaming marble countertops to pristine wood flooring, even the slightest imperfections can impact a property’s value.
    — Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
  • At the Museum of Clocks, also in Chengdu, textural red brickwork alludes more to the area’s humble past than a gleaming future.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • The universe is setting you up for a major glow up.
    — Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This face cream has a shimmery base to give major glow and is spiked with Korean white ginseng, hyaluronic acid and mandarin extract to brighten from within, plus gently exfoliate and hydrate too.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of glow
Verb
  • In a recent photoshoot, Willis, 36, slipped into the glittering gold bikini that Moore famously wore in the 1996 film Striptease.
    — Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Hours earlier, a glittering guest list of 300 had gathered for the inaugural Le Grand Dîner du Louvre, a first-of-its-kind black-tie affair held inside the world’s most famous museum.
    — Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of glitter
Noun
  • However, that didn’t stop her co-workers and peers from laying down the firm glare of judgment.
    — Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • That means Johnson’s responses on Wednesday will be under the dual glare of Congress and Trump’s Justice Department, though the courts have generally determined sanctuary laws to be constitutional.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of glare
Verb
  • Even Baby boomers are backing off alcohol a bit, with seltzers/sparkling up 13% and fruit juices edging up 1%, as beer drops 7%, spirits slide 12%, wine plummets 15%, and soft drinks fall off the cliff by 16%.
    — Louis Biscotti, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • What if this golden moment for Reddit is not a renaissance but a last hurrah—one final reminder of what could have been, before a tsunami of AI wipes out the places that once sparkled with humanity?
    — Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of sparkle
Noun
  • Four of the dancers, representing wind, wear sheer, pleated capes with an iridescent sheen that attached to shoulder straps and arm bands.
    — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Its ’90s-style silhouette, combined with textured sheen, creates a flattering spring dress that finds a sweet spot between minimalism and maximalism.
    — Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of sheen
Verb
  • Shortstop Max Acosta, one of three players acquired in the Jake Burger trade with Texas, has flashed this spring, getting on base in 6 of his 14 plate appearances, with a home run.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Nightmares of more dental work had to have flashed through the Celtics guard’s mind Thursday night.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of flash
Verb
  • Among the pottery was a broken pot and gold items glinting from within, the ministry said.
    — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Something across the top of the burial seemed to glint in the sun.
    — Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of glint

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Cite this Entry

“Shimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shimmer. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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