GLIMMER Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'glimmer' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glimmer are flash , gleam , glint , glisten , glitter , shimmer , and sparkle . While all these words mean "to send forth light," glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam. // a distant glimmering light

Q: Where would 'flash' be a reasonable alternative to 'glimmer'?

In some situations, the words flash and glimmer are roughly equivalent. However, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light. // lightning flashed

Q: When could 'gleam' be used to replace 'glimmer'?

The words gleam and glimmer can be used in similar contexts, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background. // lights gleamed in the valley

Q: When is it sensible to use 'glint' instead of 'glimmer'?

The synonyms glint and glimmer are sometimes interchangeable, but glint implies a cold glancing light. // glinting steel

Q: In what contexts can 'glisten' take the place of 'glimmer'?

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

Q: When is 'glitter' a more appropriate choice than 'glimmer'?

While the synonyms glitter and glimmer are close in meaning, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming. // glittering diamonds

Q: When would 'shimmer' be a good substitute for 'glimmer'?

Although the words shimmer and glimmer have much in common, shimmer means shining with a wavering light. // a shimmering satin dress

Q: When can 'sparkle' be used instead of 'glimmer'?

The words sparkle and glimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light. // the sparkling waters

glimmer 1 of 2

noun

Definition of glimmer next

as in hint

a very small amount a glimmer of hope that there will be snow on Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flicker

an almost imperceptible sign of something most of the students showed not even a glimmer of interest in what I had to say

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

glimmer

2 of 2

verb

ˈgli-mər

as in to gleam

to shoot forth bursts of light the waters of the rippling brook glimmered in the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glimmer contrast with its synonyms?

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

a distant glimmering light

Where would flash be a reasonable alternative to glimmer?

In some situations, the words flash and glimmer are roughly equivalent. However, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When could gleam be used to replace glimmer?

The words gleam and glimmer can be used in similar contexts, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When is it sensible to use glint instead of glimmer?

The synonyms glint and glimmer are sometimes interchangeable, but glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

In what contexts can glisten take the place of glimmer?

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

glistening wet sidewalk

When is glitter a more appropriate choice than glimmer?

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

glittering diamonds

When would shimmer be a good substitute for glimmer?

Although the words shimmer and glimmer have much in common, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When can sparkle be used instead of glimmer?

The words sparkle and glimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

Examples 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 glimmer

Noun

At five-on-five, however, the early returns from the Canucks’ first game without Hughes provided at least a glimmer of hope that Brännström can offer a partial, short-term solution. —

Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 There was a glimmer of hope for splashy theatrical rom-coms when, in 2018, Crazy Rich Asians was a massive, culture-dominating success. —

Esther Zuckerman, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2024

Verb

Venus is glimmering through your third house of communication and immediate surroundings, while Uranus retrogrades through your sixth house of due diligence. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024 Swift glimmered in her pink and blue bodysuit to a raucous roar from 92,000 screaming fans. —

Bryan West, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glimmer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer

Noun

Yet there’s a hint that the family may know Sphere and the RSN aren’t good fits.

Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 Jan. 2025
So who knows if that’s just sister accounts interacting on social media or a hint to something larger coming down the pipeline in the hair category as well.

Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 9 Jan. 2025