glare

verb

ˈgler 

glared; glaring

intransitive verb

1

a

: to shine with a harsh uncomfortably brilliant light

b

: stand out, obtrude

2

: to stare angrily or fiercely

glared at me with rage and hate

transitive verb

1

: to express (something, such as hostility) by staring angrily

glared defiance at each other

2

archaic : to cause to be sharply reflected

Synonyms of glare

• glow
• gleam
• burn
• flash
• flare
• flame

Examples of glare in a Sentence

The sun glared down relentlessly.

The white snow glared in the morning sunlight.

The teacher glared at him as he walked in late.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rim pressure felt like another glaring absence from Denver’s roster in the playoffs. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 June 2026

Although Brown was absent from Howe’s lyrics, his specter glared from between the lines, apocalyptic and militant. —Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026

The benefits are glaring, and no one wants to get the calls that the Herbert, Lutzenkirchen and Bebiak families — and so many others — have gotten. —Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 7 June 2026

Amber contacts help allow athletes to better track objects amid bright, glaring skies or artificial lighting and reduce eye strain. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English glaren; akin to Old English glæs glass

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing glare

• anti-glare

Rhymes for glare

• air
• ayre
• bahr
• bare
• blare
• care
• chair
• claire
• ere
• err
• eyre
• fair

Kids Definition

glare

verb

ˈgla(ə)r, 

ˈgle(ə)r

glared; glaring

1

a

: to shine with a harsh uncomfortably brilliant light

b

: to stand out annoyingly

2

: to stare angrily or fiercely

glare noun

glary

ˈgla(ə)r-ē, 

ˈgle(ə)r-

adjective