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
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 May 2025
Their minimalist design offered contrast to the textural details of the archival ensemble, grounding the look with a subtle sheen.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 June 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
Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc lends a lightweight, non-glittery sheen; as does Kopari’s shimmering gel which also offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 May 2025
Their minimalist design offered contrast to the textural details of the archival ensemble, grounding the look with a subtle sheen.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheen
Noun
-
Dad sat up tall, waving both hands around to his neighbors, that big gleam across his face.—
Raj Tawney,
People.com,
15 June 2025
-
On opening night, the soprano’s top notes blazed out with a cool gleam, but her lower and middle registers lacked the heft needed to punch through Strauss’s dense textures.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
The chandelier in the lobby — a shimmering, 700-pound Murano glass cloud — sets the tone: elegant, extravagant, quietly theatrical.—
Rooksana Hossenally,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
Every May, Miami’s streets get an extra dose of vibrant colors, shimmering fabrics, and glistening skin as brands, models, influencers, and fashion lovers congregate for a celebration of swimwear and resortwear.—
Victoria Montalti,
Refinery29,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
The first Tron had played out as a series of face-offs featuring glowing figures against a black background, replicating the blank environment of an arcade screen.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
Miguel and Angel were grinning maniacs standing in the middle of the set with their arms around each other’s shoulders, like ballplayers after a winning game surrounded by a circle of glowing fans.—
Helen Schulman,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
The man opened his hand, and the stadium lights reflected, at last, on a glint of silver.—
Jason Anthony,
The Atlantic,
14 June 2025
-
There are also some unexpected turns, like Glinda walking down the aisle toward Fiyero and a glint of Dorothy's silver shoes, moments not found in the stage version.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
This natural phenomenon, in which light-emitting sea creatures like algae cause the water to glitter with specks of blue and white light, is best viewed on a dark, moonless night.—
Jessie Beck,
AFAR Media,
16 June 2025
-
The summer ball scheduled for July 6 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, already buzzy thanks to having filmmaker Sofia Coppola as its artistic director, has also assembled an honorary committee stacked with glittering names.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
Gravina’s praise for his temperament amid the media glare also left one with the impression that the FIGC president can’t be on social media, where the reels of Gattuso’s press conference shenanigans have guaranteed virality.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
There are protectors that serve many different purposes, such as protecting your TV screen from cracks, reducing glare on your screen and protecting your TV from the elements. TV surface protection Most people who are buying a TV screen protector are looking for surface protection.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
That glistening swimming hole might look—and feel—refreshing on a sweltering day.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
23 May 2025
-
The orchestration — rich, fluid, and glistening with the vaguely exotic plinks of the cimbalom — has the plushness of an antique carpet.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
No scripts, no gloss, just real talk, real laughs and a bit of beautiful mayhem.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
18 June 2025
-
But that doesn’t put a gloss on what is really happening.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sheen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheen. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share