glimmer 1 of 2

glimmer

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verb

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

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 glimmer
Noun
It’s been the buzz around New York ever since a glimmer of hope cracked through the chaos in Milwaukee. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 June 2025 Thornton injects a childlike sense of wonder with literal glimmers of light, magic realism making its way into this stark, severe environment. Ella Kemp, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
Verb
An ocean of glimmering phones paints a horizon, piercing the dark stillness of the Inglewood night. Hazlitt, 28 May 2025 All three planets will be visible to the naked eye: Saturn up high, the moon just below and Venus glimmering brightly near the horizon. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for glimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer
Noun
  • The shade brings a quiet elegance to any room, a hint of whimsy, and a reputation for serenity thanks to its namesake plant.
    Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
  • But right now, Trump just wants people to overlook recent hints about Medicare cuts, which sent hospital stocks through the floor.
    Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Don’t burn out chasing every flicker of inspiration.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025
  • And while Sirens shows flickers of ambition to transcend the typical A-list crime soap, its admittedly addictive pleasures are chiefly of the sudsy variety.
    Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • The gleaming family-style kitchen that's both welcoming and chic.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
  • Ranging from $45 to $55, the eight art prints in the capsule feature pre-framed designs that gleam with silver and gold foil detailing.
    Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Each piece is dressed with a sprinkling of ancho chili flakes, which add a subtle heat that compliments the coffee’s robustness.
    Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • Firefighters have not yet contained some of the strongest blazes, although officials hoped that a sprinkling of rain on Thursday would aid their emergency efforts, the Times reports.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The chandelier in the lobby — a shimmering, 700-pound Murano glass cloud — sets the tone: elegant, extravagant, quietly theatrical.
    Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
  • Every May, Miami’s streets get an extra dose of vibrant colors, shimmering fabrics, and glistening skin as brands, models, influencers, and fashion lovers congregate for a celebration of swimwear and resortwear.
    Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • The material underfoot was dark brown and appeared to be a mix of wood chips and woody debris, dotted with cast-off rubber and plastic — the shred of a Spalding basketball here, a purple plastic squirrel there.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
  • In a shred of goods news, final sales to private domestic purchasers — a key gauge of underlying demand in the economy — accelerated to 3% in the first quarter from 2.9% in the fourth quarter.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement What Ennis fears, the violent murder that flashes through his mind when Lureen tells him of Jack’s death as a result of an exploding tire, is still happening.
    Rich Juzwiak, Time, 24 June 2025
  • Production Retail Sales isn’t the only indicator flashing weakness.
    Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • The Colorado Rapids, who have made their fair share of splash signings over the past two seasons, are ninth lowest in the league in payroll for their first-team players.
    Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 25 June 2025
  • The world’s largest sailing yacht just made a mighty splash in France.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glimmer. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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