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

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

This allows the system to redirect its beams rapidly and perform multiple surveillance tasks. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026

The main residence has a distinctly mountain-modern look, with stone walls, exposed timber beams, wide-plank wood floors, and expansive windows that bring the landscape indoors. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2026

There was a narrow bed and, above it, a row of light bulbs that emitted infrared beams. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Exod With help from stakes and guy lines, the air beams then hold the tent fabric high and taut, creating a voluminous cabin ready to house a tactical table and everyone who has a stake in drafting the master plan. — New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026

At its heart, the greatest album of all time beams with try-hard enthusiasm for popcraft—but don’t try telling Stel that. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

These cataclysmic explosions spray intense radiation and beams of energy through the universe at close to the speed of light. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 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