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
Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
And even after a couple of hours, you’ll be shocked to find that both the tint and the divinely dewy sheen remain.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 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
The episode structures the lead-up to the fateful robbery with a neo-noir sheen, utilizing multiple points of view set within the same time frame.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
And even after a couple of hours, you’ll be shocked to find that both the tint and the divinely dewy sheen remain.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 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
-
On Katmai’s wild southeastern coast, however, guests of Natural Habitat Adventures, a partner of World Wildlife Fund, observe brown bears in near solitude on shimmering tidal flats and aqua bays.—
Susan Portnoy,
AFAR Media,
3 Oct. 2025
-
All visitors are struck by the long colored ribbon extending over a hundred yards throughout the store, drawing them inside to experience all its shimmering hues.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The mountains glowed with golden light, evoking a sense of enchantment and possibility.—
Lisa Greissinger,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Los Milics was the subject of a glowing profile in the September 2025 issue of Food and Wine Magazine.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
4 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
-
Follow the album drop LIVE with USA TODAY Taylor Swift Reporter Byran West and read USA TODAY's glittering review of Swift's playful pop.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The material will bounce light from your tree around the room, and the glittering letters are an inviting way to welcome guests.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
3 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
-
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
-
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4 winner Monét X Change now has a lovely engagement ring to glisten alongside her crown and scepter.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This lightweight oil-serum hybrid tames flyaways, locks in moisture, and adds high-gloss shine without weight.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The Brazilian was key to Madrid’s fourth, setting up Eduardo Camavinga from close-range for his first goal in the competition, before Brahim Diaz added further gloss to the scoreline in the 93rd minute.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sheen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheen. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share