sparkle 1 of 2

verb

ˈspär-kəl How to pronounce sparkle (audio)
Definition of sparklenext
1
as in to glow
to give off sparks while fireworks that sparkle may be entertaining to look at, they can be highly dangerous when used indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light the crystal sparkled in the sunlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

sparkle

2 of 2

noun

1
as in shimmer

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in brightness

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb sparkle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sparkle are flash, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, and shimmer. While all these words mean "to send forth light," sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

Where would flash be a reasonable alternative to sparkle?

While the synonyms flash and sparkle are close in meaning, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When might gleam be a better fit than sparkle?

Although the words gleam and sparkle have much in common, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When is glimmer a more appropriate choice than sparkle?

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

a distant glimmering light

In what contexts can glint take the place of sparkle?

In some situations, the words glint and sparkle are roughly equivalent. However, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When would glisten be a good substitute for sparkle?

The meanings of glisten and sparkle largely overlap; however, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When can glitter be used instead of sparkle?

The words glitter and sparkle can be used in similar contexts, but glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When is it sensible to use shimmer instead of sparkle?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparkle, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

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 sparkle
Verb
Use it to remove rust, lime scale, hard water stains, and keep your toilets sparkling clean. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026 Two pools, tennis and padel courts, e-bikes, and of course the sparkling beach right outside. —Devorah Lev-Tov, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
The company’s Dance Reflections festival sprawled across the city’s theatres for months, evidence of a level of sponsorship and sparkle rarely seen in the field. —Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026 Items such as candle sconces and decorative milagros add a touch of sparkle and enhance the mood. —Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sparkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparkle
  1. glow
  2. gleam
  3. shimmer
  4. brightness
  5. shine
  6. glitter
  7. twinkle
  8. pizzazz
Verb
  • That leads to high temperatures, which create a glowing protostar due to the rapid (kinetic) motion of the internal gas particles, and eventually, after a few tens of millions of years, the core temperatures rise high enough (above 4 million K or so) that nuclear fusion of hydrogen begins.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Now imagine the same with some of those teary eyes angled down toward glowing screens, while others frame the bride with their phones.
    — Nikita Khanna, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of glow
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
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
Noun
  • The Kickstarter campaign is also offering a slightly less capable model that's ticks all of the above boxes except for brightness, which comes in at 2,600 ISO lumens for the Pro variant.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Giving the camera longer exposure increases brightness but may reduce definition if the aurora is active.
    — Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of brightness
Verb
  • The stellar remnant will contract to form a white dwarf, and while the planetary nebula will fade after perhaps 20,000 years, the white dwarf will continue to shine for many trillions of years before fading out.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Her makeup was, for the most part, shielded by her sunglasses, leaving only her brown and nude lip to shine.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of shine
Verb
  • Making an appearance with Russell at the Palace of Fine Arts on February 5, Ciara turned heads with a black lace peekaboo bustier, which emerged from an asymmetrical silver wraparound skirt that glittered from every angle.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Expect glittering and ultra glamorous gowns via Balmain, Versace, and vintage Galliano for red carpets with husband George, floaty and floral sets for summering in Lake Como, an always impeccable blowout.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of glitter
Noun
  • The ocean blue dining room is as enchanting as ever, adorned with fish nets and twinkle lights.
    — Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Then, the spectacle in Paris seduced the world once more as only the Olympic Games and the City of Light could, as events unfolded beneath an Eiffel Tower that went twinkle-twinkle every night.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of twinkle
Noun
  • Childs supplied poetry as well as pizzazz.
    — Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The smallest model comes with a diamond bezel, ostensibly aimed at women, but equally appealing for a man wanting a smaller timepiece with a little extra pizzazz.
    — Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 19 Jan. 2026
Definition of pizzazz

Browse Nearby Words

sparking
sparkle
sparkled
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on sparkle

Nglish: Translation of sparkle for Spanish Speakers

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