shimmered; shimmering
ˈshi-mə-riŋ 
ˈshim-riŋ
1
: to shine with a soft tremulous or fitful light : glimmer
2
: to reflect a wavering sometimes distorted visual image
: to cause to shimmer
2
: a wavering sometimes distorted visual image usually resulting from heat-induced changes in atmospheric refraction
Synonyms
Examples of shimmer in a Sentence
Verb
The road shimmered in the heat.
a sequined dress shimmering under the studio lights
Recent Examples on the Web
Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
As one moves the watch, the ripples will actually shimmer in three dimensions.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
Under his expert leadership, Rooftop’s commitment to New York City communities and independent filmmakers shimmered, even and especially during dark times.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
Lake Powell has shimmered between red canyon walls along the Arizona-Utah border since Glen Canyon Dam was completed in the 1960s.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Guests shimmered in blinding sequins, swathed in floor-sweeping florals, and sported bold animal prints.
—Maia Torres, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Carey Mulligan shimmers ind af Fred Leighton 1930's gold and diamond swirl necklace by Rene Boivin at the 2024 SAG Awards.
—Beth Bernstein, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
The landscape shimmered with color as if a giant rainbow had toppled and splintered across the ground.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024
Snappy, shimmering jalapeño sausages ooze with molten cheese.
—Kayla Stewart, Bon Appétit, 23 Feb. 2024
Tira Urquhart, Essence, 23 Apr. 2024
While some bats can hear nearly double that frequency, humans—especially old audiophiles—are lucky to bust 15,000 Hz before the shimmer fizzles.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Once the oil shimmers, scatter the pancetta in the pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the pancetta fat has started to render (melt) and the meat is lightly browned and somewhat crispy.
Add the tomatoes to the pan; increase the heat to medium-high.
—Domenica Marchetti, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Constructed from a structural polyester material with metallic woven throughout for a pop of shimmer, this dress offers a moody springtime floral look that works well for garden weddings.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Editor Tip: Henney suggests mature skin types try the shade Petal Power (seen above), a coral pink shade with a touch of gold shimmer.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
Not all inventions lose their shimmer right away, but the ones that change the world won’t take long to seem humdrum.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
Wingard just wants to tint one monster hot pink, another one gold and another the opalescent shimmer of a 12-year-old’s first bottle of nail polish.
—Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Klee Naturals 4-Piece Makeup Kits Kids who love to play in your makeup bag will enjoy having their own makeup kit, complete with two lip shimmers, a blush, eyeshadow, and application brushes.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 24 Mar. 2024
Verb
The Queen of Sweden shimmered in the statement-making Queen Sofia’s Tiara, while her eldest daughter Crown Princess Victoria, 46, wore the Boucheron Laurel Wreath Tiara.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
As one moves the watch, the ripples will actually shimmer in three dimensions.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
Under his expert leadership, Rooftop’s commitment to New York City communities and independent filmmakers shimmered, even and especially during dark times.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
Lake Powell has shimmered between red canyon walls along the Arizona-Utah border since Glen Canyon Dam was completed in the 1960s.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Guests shimmered in blinding sequins, swathed in floor-sweeping florals, and sported bold animal prints.
—Maia Torres, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Carey Mulligan shimmers ind af Fred Leighton 1930's gold and diamond swirl necklace by Rene Boivin at the 2024 SAG Awards.
—Beth Bernstein, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
The landscape shimmered with color as if a giant rainbow had toppled and splintered across the ground.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024
Snappy, shimmering jalapeño sausages ooze with molten cheese.
—Kayla Stewart, Bon Appétit, 23 Feb. 2024
Noun
And, of course, there’s always room for some shimmer– Fenty Beauty’s Fuchsia Flex Lip Gloss is her current favorite.
—Tira Urquhart, Essence, 23 Apr. 2024
While some bats can hear nearly double that frequency, humans—especially old audiophiles—are lucky to bust 15,000 Hz before the shimmer fizzles.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Once the oil shimmers, scatter the pancetta in the pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the pancetta fat has started to render (melt) and the meat is lightly browned and somewhat crispy.
Add the tomatoes to the pan; increase the heat to medium-high.
—Domenica Marchetti, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Constructed from a structural polyester material with metallic woven throughout for a pop of shimmer, this dress offers a moody springtime floral look that works well for garden weddings.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Editor Tip: Henney suggests mature skin types try the shade Petal Power (seen above), a coral pink shade with a touch of gold shimmer.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
Not all inventions lose their shimmer right away, but the ones that change the world won’t take long to seem humdrum.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
Wingard just wants to tint one monster hot pink, another one gold and another the opalescent shimmer of a 12-year-old’s first bottle of nail polish.
—Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Klee Naturals 4-Piece Makeup Kits Kids who love to play in your makeup bag will enjoy having their own makeup kit, complete with two lip shimmers, a blush, eyeshadow, and application brushes.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 24 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shimmer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Shimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shimmer. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
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