as in polished
having a shiny surface or finish
a glistening marble table top
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in gleaming
to shoot forth bursts of light
this seemingly dull opal really glistens in full light
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 glistening
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
While Alberta Ferretti creative director Lorenzo Serafini's runway design featured glistening embellishments and more dramatic draping, the shoppable cape dress does not include an open back at all.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 19 Oct. 2025
Ye Fan for The New York Times Caroline Palmer was telling the story of how she got hired at Vogue in 2001 when a waitress at Tierney’s Tavern plunked two pints of beer and a pile of glistening onion rings on the table between us.
—New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Then, the pale, glistening creature emerged from beneath the waves.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Next, there was another close-up of her face, showing her skin glistening, as well as her tattoo and the black Rhode pillow.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Kathy Ten Eyck flew from Utica, New York into New Mexico to visit the glistening dunes of White Sands National Park.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
The ridiculously nourishing formula leaves you glistening but never greasy, with the coconut, açai, and brazil nut oils restoring suppleness to a level that pleased our testers as much as its tropical, coconutty scent and mess-free pump.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
What can any of us make of our momentary intimate lives in such an immense world, with equally immense unknowns, mysteries as great as death or the whale, as deep as love or the ocean, as sad and beautiful as a jellyfish torn and glistening in a small fortress of shore rock?
—Natalie Diaz
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Meg lived in a somewhat offbeat district, but the tall shabby houses, some of them painted in garish colours, were soon left behind and gave place to discreetly glistening cream or white facades behind one of which Leonora lived.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Their dining room now packed and wind in their sails, the couple is digging deeper into the cooking of Tussanaprasit’s native Chiang Mai, serving dishes like khao khan jin, a glistening mixture of rice, salty pork bits, and pork blood steamed in banana leaves.
—Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Guests can dine at the on-site Beacon Restaurant, stroll the nearby boardwalk, or unwind by the fire pits as the sun seemingly dips into the glistening lake.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
While Alberta Ferretti creative director Lorenzo Serafini's runway design featured glistening embellishments and more dramatic draping, the shoppable cape dress does not include an open back at all.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 19 Oct. 2025
Ye Fan for The New York Times Caroline Palmer was telling the story of how she got hired at Vogue in 2001 when a waitress at Tierney’s Tavern plunked two pints of beer and a pile of glistening onion rings on the table between us.
—New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Then, the pale, glistening creature emerged from beneath the waves.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Next, there was another close-up of her face, showing her skin glistening, as well as her tattoo and the black Rhode pillow.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Kathy Ten Eyck flew from Utica, New York into New Mexico to visit the glistening dunes of White Sands National Park.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
The ridiculously nourishing formula leaves you glistening but never greasy, with the coconut, açai, and brazil nut oils restoring suppleness to a level that pleased our testers as much as its tropical, coconutty scent and mess-free pump.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
What can any of us make of our momentary intimate lives in such an immense world, with equally immense unknowns, mysteries as great as death or the whale, as deep as love or the ocean, as sad and beautiful as a jellyfish torn and glistening in a small fortress of shore rock?
—Natalie Diaz
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Fast forward to September 21 this year, and Jefferson-Wooden’s smile was still beaming, but the medal around her neck was glistening brighter than ever before.
—Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Meg lived in a somewhat offbeat district, but the tall shabby houses, some of them painted in garish colours, were soon left behind and gave place to discreetly glistening cream or white facades behind one of which Leonora lived.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Their dining room now packed and wind in their sails, the couple is digging deeper into the cooking of Tussanaprasit’s native Chiang Mai, serving dishes like khao khan jin, a glistening mixture of rice, salty pork bits, and pork blood steamed in banana leaves.
—Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistening
Adjective
-
Today’s comfy trousers look polished but feel as comfy as your favorite pair of sweatpants.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Some of the highlights of the collection are the super heavyweight sweatshirts and joggers (650g) designed to hold shape wear after wear; a heavyweight jersey (300g) with an oversized, roomy fit; and an interlock jersey (300g) with a polished finish.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ban designed the kitchen with gleaming white Corian countertops and a sculptural central island, while a den just off the kitchen can double as a fourth bedroom, hidden behind a wall of telescoping panels.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Even from a boat, the gleaming white of bleached and dead corals glowed from beneath the surface.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
However, safety is the top concern among users in the Reddit thread, with many reporting that their glossy or ultra-smooth floors are incredibly slippery, especially when wet.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
-
On Friday night, tennis superstar Serena Williams made a splash at the Princesa De Asturias awards ceremony, clad in a head-to-toe fiery red ensemble featuring glossy pumps.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In principle, besides fluctuating stars transients can be associated with other things, too, such as extreme space weather events impinging on the upper atmosphere, sunlight glinting off reflective objects near Earth, as well as flaws in the telescope or the imaging process.—
Jonathan O'Callaghan,
Scientific American,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Sundae looked up at the photo on the wall, at Holly Jolly, smiling without shark teeth, sprig of holly glinting on his lapel.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
On our shopping list is a polished king bed that’s 39% off, an armoire that’s perfect for stashing seasonal clothing, and a sleek metal accent table under $200.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Hilton kept it sleek in a black mini-dress with fishnet panels and thigh-high boots, finishing her look with dark shades and blunt bangs.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rachel Sennott Rachel Sennott turned to Ludovic de Saint Sernin for her shimmering attire with sensual styling.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Later that afternoon, my probation officer came into the building, a gun on his hip, a shimmering gold badge next to it.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
-
From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Isabel Garcia,
Peoplemag,
13 Jan. 2023
Verb
-
Winfrey opted for shimmering jewels to accessorize her attire, wearing a glittering cocktail ring and a pair of coordinated earrings.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Taiwan’s island of Kinmen lies 3 miles from China’s port city of Xiamen, whose glittering skyscrapers loom through the sea fog.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Glistening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistening. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share