GLITTER Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of glitter are flash , gleam , glimmer , glint , glisten , shimmer , and sparkle . While all these words mean "to send forth light," glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming. // glittering diamonds

Q: When might 'flash' be a better fit than 'glitter'?

The synonyms flash and glitter are sometimes interchangeable, but flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light. // lightning flashed

Q: Where would 'gleam' be a reasonable alternative to 'glitter'?

The words gleam and glitter 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 would 'glimmer' be a good substitute for 'glitter'?

In some situations, the words glimmer and glitter are roughly equivalent. However, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam. // a distant glimmering light

Q: In what contexts can 'glint' take the place of 'glitter'?

The meanings of glint and glitter largely overlap; however, glint implies a cold glancing light. // glinting steel

Q: When is it sensible to use 'glisten' instead of 'glitter'?

Although the words glisten and glitter have much in common, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface. // glistening wet sidewalk

Q: When can 'shimmer' be used instead of 'glitter'?

While the synonyms shimmer and glitter are close in meaning, shimmer means shining with a wavering light. // a shimmering satin dress

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

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

glitter 1 of 2

verb

ˈgli-tər

Definition of glitter next

as in to gleam

to shoot forth bursts of light the queen's crown glittered under the glare of the TV lights

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

glitter

2 of 2

noun

as in shimmer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gilt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glitter contrast with its synonyms?

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

glittering diamonds

When might flash be a better fit than glitter?

The synonyms flash and glitter are sometimes interchangeable, but flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

Where would gleam be a reasonable alternative to glitter?

The words gleam and glitter 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 would glimmer be a good substitute for glitter?

In some situations, the words glimmer and glitter are roughly equivalent. However, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

In what contexts can glint take the place of glitter?

The meanings of glint and glitter largely overlap; however, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is it sensible to use glisten instead of glitter?

Although the words glisten and glitter have much in common, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When can shimmer be used instead of glitter?

While the synonyms shimmer and glitter are close in meaning, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When is sparkle a more appropriate choice than glitter?

The words sparkle and glitter 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 glitter

Verb

As the Champagne flowed, guests tried on the charms and admired the ways the precious gems glittered in the candlelight. —

Ian Malone, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2025 The Uptown was supposed to be glittering and open for business by the end of 2021. —

The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025

Noun

In the good old, bad old days, economies were ‘crucified on a cross of gold’ and one only needs to read up on the ‘free silver’ movement in the US late 1800s to see that all that glitters is not necessarily good currency. —

Clem Chambers, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 Cards that play music, light up or have glitter or ribbons. —

Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glitter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glitter

Verb

Her blonde hair—unambiguously her own—was pulled back in a velvet claw clip, and her cheeks gleamed with a dialed-down, daytime version of that signature blush.

— Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025
Crisp white cabinets and gleaming chrome accents pop against the blue island, providing a light and bright atmosphere.

— Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2025