Synonyms of gleam

gleam 1 of 2

noun

ˈglēm 

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

• glow
• glare
• light
• glint
• illumination
• sunlight
• glimmer
• twinkle
• beam
• luminescence
• fluorescence
• radiance
• blaze
• shine
• moonlight
• flare
• incandescence
• flash
• ray
• sparkle
• shimmer
• reflection
• sunshine
• glitter
• scintillation
• lustre
• sheen
• daylight
• streak
• sunbeam
• aurora
• stream
• halo
• aureole
• luster
• glisten
• polish
• gloss
• shaft
• aureola
• afterglow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• night
• dark
• darkness
• gloom
• shadow
• blackness
• dusk
• dimness
• duskiness

gleam

2 of 2

verb

as in to glint

to shoot forth bursts of light

fine china and stemware gleaming in the candlelight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glint
• flash
• shimmer
• sparkle
• twinkle
• glisten
• shine
• glitter
• glimmer
• glow
• lustre
• glance
• wink
• flame
• scintillate
• glister
• luster
• spangle
• coruscate
• beam
• winkle
• dazzle
• blind
• radiate
• flare
• glare
• blaze
• daze
• bedazzle
• burn

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb gleam contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gleam are flash, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When is flash a more appropriate choice than gleam?

While the synonyms flash and gleam are close in meaning, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When might glimmer be a better fit than gleam?

While in some cases nearly identical to gleam, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When could glint be used to replace gleam?

Although the words glint and gleam have much in common, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

Where would glisten be a reasonable alternative to gleam?

The words glisten and gleam can be used in similar contexts, but glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When is it sensible to use glitter instead of gleam?

The words glitter and gleam are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When would shimmer be a good substitute for gleam?

In some situations, the words shimmer and gleam are roughly equivalent. However, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When can sparkle be used instead of gleam?

The meanings of sparkle and gleam largely overlap; however, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gleam

Noun

Add a finishing touch to your style with Bask and Lather Edge Control and Kevin Murphy Shimmer Shine spray for a healthy gleam. —Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025

There is something feral in the onrush of Marlowe’s verse, with the gleam of bared teeth daring us to laugh. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

Verb

Syrupy sweets gleam in the windows of dessert shops around Athens, but skip the tourist-magnet displays and go to Feyrouz. —Katherine Whittaker, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2025

If he gets put away, at least everyone on the planet got to see him at his gleaming best. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025