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

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

The curved bar, constructed from cast-glass beams covered in silver leaf, takes on an intergalactic glow when illuminated at night. — Khushbu Shah, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026

Canvas roofs and redwood beams brought natural materials into the mix, while Wright continued to expand the property over the years to include his personal office and living quarters, residences for apprentices and staff, theaters, and a workshop. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026

In the lobby, the beams and columns join with such deliberate overelaborations as to mock the simplicity of the overall building. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, Mickelson noted that every ceiling in the theater is different — a coffered ceiling with hexagonal panels gives way to plaster beams designed and painted to look like wood. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Flexible beams and shells that snap between shapes have also been used to produce movement. — New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Some homeowners create decorative wood beams from foam boards. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 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