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

All have the particular quirks – wooden beams or quaint tiny windows – of a centuries-old property. — Jonathan Samuels, TheWeek, 17 July 2026

The gambrel-roof’s shingles were pegged into roof beams rather than nailed, and the lath that held its plaster walls together was woven in place rather than nailed, according to an architectural survey of the county. — Mark Price july 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026

The rustic aesthetic continues inside, with white shiplap paneling, timber beams, and wooden accents. — Adam Williams july 17, New Atlas, 17 July 2026

Friday so that work crews can deliver and erect bridge beams, according to the Florida Department of Transportation and the city of Miami. — Howard Cohen july 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

As a result, Icelandic house-plans had to use a minimum of wood—just a few posts and roof beams. — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 2026

The off-limits area was later scaled back after work crews braced the buckling beams. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

Officials found a pair of support beams on the 21st floor had begun to buckle, while several upper floors were caving in. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 July 2026

Mamdani said temporary shoring and beams were installed on floors 18 through 23 of the building, and additional supports will be added throughout the day as crews make their way to the roof and down to the ninth floor. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Verb

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

The same cousin now beams about ChatGPT. — Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025