Synonyms of gleam

gleam 1 of 2

noun

ˈglēm 

as in glow

the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible

the door opened a crack and let in a gleam of light from the hallway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glow
• glare
• light
• glint
• illumination
• sunlight
• glimmer
• twinkle
• beam
• luminescence
• fluorescence
• radiance
• blaze
• shine
• moonlight
• flare
• incandescence
• flash
• ray
• sparkle
• shimmer
• reflection
• sunshine
• glitter
• scintillation
• lustre
• sheen
• daylight
• streak
• sunbeam
• aurora
• stream
• halo
• aureole
• luster
• glisten
• polish
• gloss
• shaft
• aureola
• afterglow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• night
• dark
• darkness
• gloom
• shadow
• blackness
• dusk
• dimness
• duskiness

gleam

2 of 2

verb

as in to glint

to shoot forth bursts of light

fine china and stemware gleaming in the candlelight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glint
• flash
• shimmer
• sparkle
• twinkle
• glisten
• shine
• glitter
• glimmer
• glow
• lustre
• glance
• wink
• flame
• scintillate
• glister
• luster
• spangle
• coruscate
• beam
• winkle
• dazzle
• blind
• radiate
• flare
• glare
• blaze
• daze
• bedazzle
• burn

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb gleam contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gleam are flash, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When is flash a more appropriate choice than gleam?

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

lightning flashed

When might glimmer be a better fit than gleam?

While in some cases nearly identical to gleam, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When could glint be used to replace gleam?

Although the words glint and gleam have much in common, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

Where would glisten be a reasonable alternative to gleam?

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

glistening wet sidewalk

When is it sensible to use glitter instead of gleam?

The words glitter and gleam are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When would shimmer be a good substitute for gleam?

In some situations, the words shimmer and gleam are roughly equivalent. However, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When can sparkle be used instead of gleam?

The meanings of sparkle and gleam largely overlap; however, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gleam

Noun

So do many of their peers: Measures of business confidence soared after the election, and while there are hints that gleam has dulled to some degree, business leaders, as a group, remain upbeat. —Ben Casselman, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

From a helicopter, the juxtaposition was halting: The gleam of the Pacific in its unchanging glory, running parallel for miles against sheer devastation. —Loren Elliott, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Verb

Bangkok has expanded at a breakneck pace, with high-rise condos and gleaming skyscrapers shooting up in recent decades. —Will Ripley, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025

Trump, playing the role of the discerning shopper, stepped into a gleaming red Tesla Model S. Musk circled the car, ready to assist his faux client, and pointed out the brake and the accelerator. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025