SHIMMER Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of shimmer are flash , gleam , glimmer , glint , glisten , glitter , and sparkle . While all these words mean "to send forth light," shimmer means shining with a wavering light. // a shimmering satin dress

Q: When is it sensible to use 'flash' instead of 'shimmer'?

The meanings of flash and shimmer largely overlap; however, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light. // lightning flashed

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

While in some cases nearly identical to shimmer , gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background. // lights gleamed in the valley

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

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

Q: Where would 'glint' be a reasonable alternative to 'shimmer'?

The words glint and shimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glint implies a cold glancing light. // glinting steel

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

The words glisten and shimmer can be used in similar contexts, but glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface. // glistening wet sidewalk

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

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

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

Although the words sparkle and shimmer have much in common, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light. // the sparkling waters

shimmer 1 of 2

verb

ˈshi-mər

Definition of shimmer next

as in to gleam

to shoot forth bursts of light a sequined dress shimmering under the studio lights

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

shimmer

2 of 2

noun

as in glow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb shimmer contrast with its synonyms?

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

a shimmering satin dress

When is it sensible to use flash instead of shimmer?

The meanings of flash and shimmer largely overlap; however, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When can gleam be used instead of shimmer?

While in some cases nearly identical to shimmer, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When could glimmer be used to replace shimmer?

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

a distant glimmering light

Where would glint be a reasonable alternative to shimmer?

The words glint and shimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

In what contexts can glisten take the place of shimmer?

The words glisten and shimmer can be used in similar contexts, but glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When might glitter be a better fit than shimmer?

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

glittering diamonds

When would sparkle be a good substitute for shimmer?

Although the words sparkle and shimmer have much in common, 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 shimmer

Verb

Brittany, 29, donned a shimmering silver fringe mini dress with knee-high boots that paid homage to Swift's Fearless album. —

Gil MacIas, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024 Anne Hathaway shimmered at the opening ceremony of Bulgari’s Serpenti Infinito Exhibition on Wednesday in Shanghai, celebrating the upcoming Year of the Snake in the lunar calendar. —

Julia Teti, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025

Noun

Though my favorite scent is sadly no longer available, there are three other options to choose from: Fenty Fresh (light and fruity), Fenty Fresh Shimmer (light and fruity with shimmer), or Toasted Marshmallow (warm with a gold shimmer). —

Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024 And unless my eyes deceive me, the shine is turned up to 11 thanks to shimmer in her middle part. —

Marci Robin, Allure, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for shimmer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shimmer

Verb

Four lowriders, parked alongside gas pumps, gleamed in the afternoon sun in Altadena.

— Ken Bensinger, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Venus and Saturn will appear in the southwest, Jupiter will gleam overhead, and Mars will appear to rise in the east.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025