Synonyms of beams

beams 1 of 2

noun

plural of beam

as in rays

a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object

we'll need a flashlight that casts a broader beam in order to really see anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rays
• shafts
• sunbeams
• lasers
• spotlights
• moonbeams
• sunbursts

beams

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of beam

1

as in shines

to emit rays of light

a lighthouse has beamed from this site since the 1790s

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shines
• rays
• glows
• flashes
• radiates
• gleams
• flares
• flickers
• flames
• lights
• shimmers
• glimmers
• glitters
• illumines
• burns
• sparkles
• glistens
• twinkles
• fires
• glints
• blazes
• beats (down)
• glares
• illuminates
• luminesces
• irradiates
• winks
• spangles
• scintillates
• lightens
• blinds
• sheens
• brightens
• blinks
• glisters
• lusters
• dazzles
• winkles
• coruscates
• bedazzles
• dazes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• darkens
• lowers
• blackens

2

as in grins

to express an emotion (as amusement) by curving the lips upward

my father beamed when I showed him my new car

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grins
• smiles
• laughs
• smirks
• sneers
• simpers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grimaces
• glares
• frowns
• scowls
• lowers
• glowers
• glooms
• pouts
• sulks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of beams

Noun

An open floor plan and exposed solid wood beams set a lovely tone for this beautiful home, as does the vintage wood-burning stove and Dutch-style farm doors. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026

Archaeologists recently uncovered charred wooden beams in Jerusalem dating back roughly 2,600 years — likely remnants of the destruction of Solomon's Temple. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

The house has been given a makeover that combines the rustic charm of its rough stone walls and heavy oak beams with Japanese minimalism, in the form of sliding screen doors and monochrome ceramics. — Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

The temporary support beams will occupy travel lanes on I-277, making the full closure necessary. — Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026

The one-bedroom home has exposed wood beams, a kiva fireplace, tile floors, a second kitchen fireplace, and a spiral staircase to an upstairs primary suite with wood floors and mountain views. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026

The home features exposed beams throughout along with wide-plank hardwood floors and water views in nearly every room. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026

The beams, in a 32-story project at 222 Broadway expected to yield nearly 800 apartment units, had been wrapped in steel as a makeshift fix, the agency said. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Yuri was able to gain more ceiling height by taking away the sheetrock and exposing the ceiling beams. — Jennifer Fernandez, Architectural Digest, 30 July 2026

Verb

SpaceX has told European officials that the proposal threatens to worsen Starlink Mobile service, which beams data to phones, including those in Ukraine. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026

Octavia Spencer beams from ear to ear at the Ride Or Die special screening in London on June 22. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Footage of giant yellow black-eyed Susan flowers beams onto the wall from one projector, intersecting with video of swaying plants from another. — Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

Einbinder looks lovingly over at her costar, who beams back at her. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026

Wade beams as his children describe their meal. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026

Now there’s Hoppers, the latest blockbuster Pixar film, which follows a girl who beams her brain into a beaver robot in the hope of saving a beloved habitat. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026

Based on research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the device beams patients with gamma frequency light and sound for an hour a day. — Mario Aguilar, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026

The characters’ spoken language is unfamiliar, but passionate, and the performances are driven by pure intent that beams through their heavy prosthetics. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026