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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
Witness Killian Maddox, a bodybuilder whose formidable muscles gleam under golden light. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025 Highland wasn’t even a gleam in anybody’s eye when Johnson ruled the city. Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
Representing the pinnacle of springtime, the moon will gleam in the night sky on Monday, May 12, 2025. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2025 Infused with a generous amount of hydrating passion fruit oil and softening fig-pulp extract, the bullet glides on effortlessly, leaving behind hydrated lips with a layer of gorgeous, gleaming color on top. Sophia Panych, Allure, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gleam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleam
Noun
  • Shot in Galicia, a landscape of rocky coasts and salty-blue air, this loosely biographical third feature from Catalan filmmaker Carla Simón, part of the Cannes competition slate, has a wistful, earthy glow.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 May 2025
  • Brick walls and exposed piping contrast with wooden furniture, white couches and floor cushions and the warm glow of Noguchi lampshades.
    Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • The Grammy-winning rapper sparkled in a sumptuous canary gown that glinted with the help of some reflective beading.
    Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
  • My living friends teeth glinting in the low light silverware against ceramic Tarsus, manus, stinger, legs.
    Safia Elhillo, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The Indy native has seen the city thrive under the glare of two NBA All-Star Games, the CFP national championship game, and dozens of other national and international championships.
    Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • It is formulated with LED lights with glare control and low optical flicker for eye care.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The player bet $1.75, hit spin and watched as the symbols flashed across the screen until a jackpot message appeared.
    Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
  • It's now known to flash in both radio waves and X-rays for a two-minute period every 44 minutes.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • And at night, lights from the tank and a nearby tower guide pilots to it.
    Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
  • Think light beer, string lights, pizza, a cake with a callback to a joke from the show on it.
    Kelly Stout, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • The shimmering elements of Fanning’s gown cascaded down the design of her dress.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 May 2025
  • Here, Gerdes created an airy, cohesive container with delicate, shimmering flowers of alyssum and ‘Glitz’ euphorbia, pops of pale purple ‘Starfish’ petunia blooms, soft mounds of velvety artemisia, and trailing silver tendrils of dichondra.
    Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Instead, try drinking sparkling water and eating more fish and whole grains.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • The former just sparkled on the cover of Sports Illustrated in a glittering green two-piece set that looks like this one from Amazon.
    Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • As evening sets in, grab a front-row seat by the water to catch the sunset, then cozy up under twinkling café lights with a s’mores kit in hand, perfect for roasting around the resort’s firepit.
    Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
  • Note that this is why planets typically don’t twinkle.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gleam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleam. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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