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

Instead, dirt paths and stalks of grass populated the area, and steel beams lay on rocks along the coastline of Lake Michigan. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

This produces orthogonal modes that are mutually incoherent, even when the original beams overlap spatially. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

The two wooden beams, tied together by rope, were rocked by the water. — Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026

The lodge itself leans classic Alaskan design, with vaulted ceilings, heavy timber beams, river-rock fireplaces, and plenty of big windows. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026

The home has exposed beams and concrete walls, stone floors, and a kitchen with two eat-in islands. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

The dyes could also help cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, who need small tattoos so doctors can guide the beams. — ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

There is the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau on an island in the Loire Valley, plagued by flooding, as well as the opposite—receding water levels that expose its wooden, foundational beams to air and decomposition. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Having worked ahead of their schedule, Menon and Kutryk removed some of the beams holding the final iROSA in place on its temporary platform and rotated two launch locks that were used in its delivery on Dragon. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Verb

Many other states and countries have been making use of the images Carbon Mapper’s first satellite, Tanager-1, beams down. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

That model beams your notes over to your phone, where they're handily transcribed in a companion app. — New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026

The sun beams down as Karen Sterling waits in line for a Talarico rally in Lockhardt on July 28. — Eleanor Dearman updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Starlink beams down broadband to consumers, governments and businesses using more than 10,000 satellites orbiting close above the Earth. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

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

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