as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
the door opened a crack and let in a gleam of light from the hallway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to glint
to shoot forth bursts of light
fine china and stemware gleaming in the candlelight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gleam
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
27 May 2026
Biscan suggests benefiting from the gleam and dimension of iridescence while opting for the sophistication of marble and marble-look tiles.
—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
23 June 2026
Shortly before the World Cup trophy is placed into the hands of one team’s triumphant captain at MetLife Stadium on July 19, a gleaming Golden Boot award will be presented to the tournament’s top scorer.
—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gleam
Noun
Some oils, such as Victoria Beckham’s sultry, scented formula, lend a dose of shimmer to the skin, while others—like Saltair’s beachy blend—lend a more straightforward gleam.
—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
27 May 2026
Biscan suggests benefiting from the gleam and dimension of iridescence while opting for the sophistication of marble and marble-look tiles.
—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
Verb
With sunbeams gleaming downward, reflecting off of the spacecraft's hull, the Dragon can be seen backing away from the station mere moments after undocking from the port on the station's Harmony module.
—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
23 June 2026
Shortly before the World Cup trophy is placed into the hands of one team’s triumphant captain at MetLife Stadium on July 19, a gleaming Golden Boot award will be presented to the tournament’s top scorer.
—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gleam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleam
Noun
-
From date night sightings and courtside appearances to red carpets, this era has brought a noticeable glow to her style.
-
There are books and wine bottles as decor on the ledges, and a glow of warm lighting.
Verb
-
After spending some time by the pool, a semi-Olympic lined with emerald and malachite mosaics that glinted in the soft, ambient light, followed by a quick trip to the sauna, I was escorted to my treatment room, about a half-flight of stairs up, where I was met by Marcia, my therapist.
-
In their gowns and bowties, guests giddily slurp mounds of glinting caviar off the back of their hand.
Noun
-
This variable star is also located 250 light-years from Earth, but is sadly lost from view in the glare of the sun during the summer months.
-
Meanwhile, Warren’s second pitch of that plate appearance made for some chin music — more so than the one that Contreras walked on — and earned a glare from the batter.
Verb
-
But after the video assistant referee urged him to watch a replay, Claus walked away from the monitor and flashed the red card.
-
The partnership covers low-power DRAM (LPDRAM), NOR flash memory, and Universal Flash Storage (UFS) NAND products.
Noun
-
Videos from these gatherings showing chanting crowds beneath concert lights, audience members crying, hugging strangers and dancing barefoot have racked up millions of views online.
-
Details about the couple's big day, continue to come to light – from Swift's wedding dress to possible performances at the celebration.
Verb
-
These crispy miniature cones are typically filled with chives and creamy crème fraîche, heavily topped with premium Siberian osetra caviar, and finished with shimmering gold leaf.
-
Both for the islanders and for us, the summer shimmers with a hallucinatory mixture of languor and emotional speed, as summers do in childhood.
Verb
-
Adam Lambert sparkles in rhinestones while singing the national anthem before the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies game in New York City on June 26.
-
Cloudy, lightly sparkling and only available during harvest, Sturm gives wine lovers a fleeting glimpse of fermentation while celebrating one of Austria’s oldest traditions.
Verb
-
As the firework began to wane after well over a minute, zigzagging streaks of light spread into a canopy of twinkling flashes that resembled stars.
-
The collection features shades of purple and lavender, symbolizing the signature twilight sky after the sun sets on those long summer days at the park and the fireworks begin, twinkling like pixie dust above the castle.
Cite this Entry
“Gleam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleam. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
