as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface
polished the metal until it had an even sheen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to shimmer
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 sheen
Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 25 May 2023
Professor:Oily sheen on East Palestine creek behaving like vinyl chloride So far, Ohio EPA says its tests have not detected vinyl chloride in waterways.
—Anna Staver, The Enquirer, 24 Feb. 2023
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
With a natural sheen and texture, the material also lends itself well to a desirable drape and elegant folds.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheen
Noun
The latter was already buffed to a brilliant R&B sheen thanks to production and songwriting contributions from Babyface, the Rascals, and BLK.
—Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 25 May 2023
Professor:Oily sheen on East Palestine creek behaving like vinyl chloride So far, Ohio EPA says its tests have not detected vinyl chloride in waterways.
—Anna Staver, The Enquirer, 24 Feb. 2023
Verb
Has the bottom developed a sticky sheen?
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
With a natural sheen and texture, the material also lends itself well to a desirable drape and elegant folds.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheen
Noun
-
Then buff the steel with a dry cloth, wiping in the same direction as the metal's grain to bring back that gleam.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Below, the Winged Victory gleams in the garden.—
Erica Wertheim Zohar,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Michiganders as far south as West Branch, Manistee and Cadillac may be able to see the shimmering lights in the night sky to the north, NOAA says.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Known for its glowing marquee and classic signage, the community theater hosts productions year-round, and in October 2025, the lineup includes a whimsical staging of Wizard Of Oz.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Each charm is made-to-order and features Prescription Kiss’ signature, glowing opalescent eyes.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With a permanent glint in his eye, Philip was the rock that kept Queen Elizabeth smiling.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Tiny fossils hint at when birds began making their mind-blowing journey to the Arctic to breed Golden autumn sunlight glints through the sedges and shrubs of the tundra in northern Alaska.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Terastalized Sudowoodo wears a glittering armor-like coating that’s topped with leafy flowers, an effect rendered gorgeously thanks to this series’ eye-popping animation.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Draconid meteors appear to streak away from a point of origin — or radiant — located close to the head of the great dragon represented by the constellation Draco, which can be found glittering above the Big Dipper asterism in the northwestern sky after sunset in mid-October.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Available in 17 shades, MIULEE’s sheer curtains diffuse sunlight and soften glare without disrupting air flow.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Without his mother’s overbearing glare, Ed becomes romantically involved with Adeline Watkins (Suzanna Son), an intriguing outcast in town, and begins indulging in a spree of gruesome crimes that would later shock the nation.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That summer of 1996 felt like a golden time, but Wembley no longer glistened.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Meanwhile, her lips were dressed in brown liner and clear gloss.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The other twist is that Noelle is addicted to a podcast (performed by Adwa Alasiri) that dishes out both true crime stories and helpful makeup tips, an amusing combination of gloss and gore.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sheen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheen. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share