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gleam

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verb

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

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
Noun
On opening night, the soprano’s top notes blazed out with a cool gleam, but her lower and middle registers lacked the heft needed to punch through Strauss’s dense textures. Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025 Yet beneath the gleam of champagne bars and five-star hotels, a current of mountain grit still flows. Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
Her spiky blond hair gleamed like steel quills in the stage lights. Allen Salkin, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025 The 50 mm case, crown, and chain also draw the eye with gleaming 18-karat white gold. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for gleam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleam
Noun
  • The sunscreen’s lightweight formula gives my skin a radiant glow instead of a chalky finish.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • To execute his signature summer glow, Turner reaches for Chanel Les Beiges Water Tint for fresh, sheer coverage.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • For many, Maine is a summer refuge—beaches with powdery sand and glinting grey-blue water intermingled with bucolic topography; mountains, lake houses.
    Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
  • Sunlight glints off the water with a Mediterranean shimmer.
    Alexandra Gillespie, AFAR Media, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • The cosmic duo will be visible for around two and a half hours before the glare of the rising sun hides the Pleiades from view.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 July 2025
  • With a full understanding about both the financial stakes and the glare of a national spotlight, Tucker has avoided the distractions that could have derailed his performance.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this year, Anthropic, an AI startup, flashed a big warning: AI could wipe out more than half of all entry-level white-collar jobs in the next one to five years.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
  • The Spy bag has since been spotted on celebrities such as Aubrey Plaza, Kelly Rowland, Rita Ora and Bianca Balti, while Rihanna and Bella Hadid, among others, have recently flashed vintage models.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • The celebrated Scottish film and screen actor, who was regarded as one of the brightest lights of his generation, died at the age of 40 from AIDS in 1990, and asked that the cause of his death be publicized to promote awareness and acceptance of the illness.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 June 2025
  • Congress could fund the shortfall from general revenue but that would hardly be prudent in light of the growing national debt.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The river was famous for its largemouth bass — one of the most economically important gamefish in the U.S. The wetlands shimmered with flocks of water birds.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • Nestled in nine hectares of lush, landscaped gardens overlooking a long, sandy beach and the shimmering South China Sea, The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh is a haven of tranquility and wellbeing.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Now one recent video has catapulted Nellie to viral fame, as her owners documented her trying sparkling water, rather than still.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
  • For the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2006, Sánchez stepped out in a black satin gown with sparkling silver details.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The rooftop crowd enjoys views of Denver’s skyline and Larimer Square, which charms with its signature hammock of twinkling lights draped over the block.
    Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
  • Soon her eyes were twinkling as her planes danced and arced across the sky.
    Michael Monson, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gleam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleam. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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