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

The widespread adoption of crash prevention technology offers a glimmer of hope in what is otherwise a fairly bleak state of affairs. —

Joel Rose, NPR, 2 Dec. 2024 Upon reflection, there’s a glimmer of hope that Trump’s friendliness toward Putin and Kim Jong Un might not be due to a desire to emulate them, but rather to keep a non-confrontational relationship so as to prevent nuclear conflict in the future. —

Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2024

Verb

With the White House glimmering behind her, Vice President Kamala Harris gave an impassioned closing argument to the American people. —

Kizzy Cox, Essence, 30 Oct. 2024 Fantastic creatures At least two species of firefly glimmered in the night sky in the Mesozoic Era, according to new research. —

Jackie Wattles, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glimmer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer

Noun

So go out there, sprinkle your conversations with a touch of empathy and a hint of humor, and watch how quickly trust builds.

Krystyna Larrave, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
This assumption was challenged in 2013, when scientists studying the neurological impacts of HIV/AIDS found genetic hints of bacteria in the brains of both sick and healthy people.

Yasemin Saplakoglu, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024