gleam 1 of 2

gleam

2 of 2

verb

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

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 gleam
Noun
While its scent is a perk, the real advantages come from a blend of Ayurvedic ingredients that fortify the hair and give it a glossy gleam. Jenny Berg, Allure, 1 Jan. 2025 The comfort and gleam of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles depended on the people who waded through rush-hour traffic on the 405 Freeway or the Pacific Coast Highway every morning to do the service work there. Orlando Mayorquín, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
The massive complex rises incongruously from the modest Charlotte Harbor waterfront, its gleaming towers dwarfing the surrounding single-story businesses. Jackie Snow, Quartz, 15 Mar. 2025 We were advised to stand well clear of the ditches that border the rails when the Super Continental, the railroad’s gleaming passenger train, whisked by every day. Graydon Carter, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gleam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleam
Noun
  • This image features a deep field view of the Cassiopeia constellation immersed in the glow of ionized hydrogen gas, where the two small planetary nebulas can be found, Abell 6 and the larger HFG1.
    Miguel Claro, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The re-re-inspection put the glow back on the Thai Moon.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Now in its sixth year, the Redondo Beach music extravaganza will boast another electrifying lineup that can only be rivaled by the cathartic ocean breeze blowing off the glinting Pacific.
    SPIN Contributor, SPIN, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Crocodiles lounged in the shallows, their eyes glinting when headlamps were shined their way.
    Charlie Cordero, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Jacob-Jenkins has penned Naz as an asexual introvert, the kind of young man who finds solace in nature and lakes and everything that takes him far away from either his father’s infidelity or the glare of political attention.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Overhangs and sun-shading louvers outside of the kitchen and family room control glare without blocking the views to Lake Michigan below.
    Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Another shows Gordon flashing a peace sign while Swift wraps her arm around her from behind.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Royals flash leather across the diamond The Royals couldn’t quite find their offensive footing Friday.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • State health agencies are preparing to lay off dozens of data scientists and epidemiologists in light of the cuts.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • In light of this, Charles Porch, vice president of global partnerships for Instagram, says the company, which has built relationships with top creators, has been pushing influencers to spread their content across all platforms.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Scientists have long suspected that the distant ice giant hosts shimmering light displays, based on fleeting hints from the Voyager 2 probe's flyby and observations of similar activity on Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • In the early 1980s, Saint Phalle created a namesake perfume with a bottle featuring a sculpted snake; in turn, Bohan made for Saint Phalle a shimmering gold pantsuit and headpiece inspired by her serpent to wear for the perfume’s launch event (which Warhol hosted).
    Dana Thomas, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Make cake batter: Beat cake mix, sparkling water, oil, eggs, 1 package of the pudding mix, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
    Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Many women’s dress watches are adorned with sparkling details on both the face and the band, making for a truly dazzling display.
    BestReviews, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The first ones float in from a variety of keyboard/synthesizers, twinkling like stars into a G minor chord that grows ever more evident, until the mighty Minimoog takes centerstage.
    Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Amid the twinkling grandeur of the cosmos, two hapless astronauts are fumbling crucial tasks: docking into a space station; adjusting the angle of satellite dishes; keeping their plants alive.
    Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gleam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleam. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gleam

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!