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

These timber floor structures negate the need for downstand beams (which project below the underside of the floor slab and support it). — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026

Their antlers might shrink a little bit, although their pedicles will remain wide and the main beams will usually carry lots of mass. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026

In addition to this some young neutron stars, known as pulsars, spin as rapidly as 700 times per second while also blasting twin beams of radiation that sweep across the cosmos like beams of light from a cosmic lighthouse. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026

The book beams in from a world where the culture overlooks the professionalism and earnestness of the Beatles because Velvetmania took off in its place. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

The living room flows into the kitchen and dining room, separated by floating walls that give the beams overhead room to breathe. — Alex Beggs, Architectural Digest, 21 Sep. 2026

Substantial beams in this post-and-beam home go up to the high vaulted ceilings. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026

Scorched buildings are propped up by once-temporary beams that have atrophied into permanent reminders. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 2026

Two people were injured when a semi-trailer truck hauling steel beams hit the underside of the Lake Avenue bridge over the Edens Expressway near Wilmette on Thursday evening. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

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

Inside Billy’s private movie theater, the projector beams down on the back of Anderson’s head like that infamous Nicole Kidman AMC promo. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 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