glimmer 1 of 2

glimmer

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glimmer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glimmer are flash, gleam, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

Where would flash be a reasonable alternative to glimmer?

In some situations, the words flash and glimmer are roughly equivalent. However, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When could gleam be used to replace glimmer?

The words gleam and glimmer can be used in similar contexts, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When is it sensible to use glint instead of glimmer?

The synonyms glint and glimmer are sometimes interchangeable, but glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

In what contexts can glisten take the place of glimmer?

The meanings of glisten and glimmer largely overlap; however, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When is glitter a more appropriate choice than glimmer?

While the synonyms glitter and glimmer are close in meaning, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When would shimmer be a good substitute for glimmer?

Although the words shimmer and glimmer have much in common, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When can sparkle be used instead of glimmer?

The words sparkle and glimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 glimmer
Noun
Dave Dombrowski is clinging to any glimmer of hope Romano can be serviceable to justify signing him, but there's no remaining hope for him. Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 Servillo is such a sly actor, and the director showcases his deadpan performance with such slow-build curiosity, that the film is always cueing us to read his mind, to see the glimmers of thought and soul behind the façade. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Nothing is, in this diffuse, glimmering patchwork world. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025 Where a cistern once hid beneath the floor to collect rainwater, an outdoor pool now glimmers. Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer
Noun
  • Check out our hints and answers right here.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • From cracks near its south pole, the moon blasts towering geysers of water vapor, ice and organic molecules into space, which are tantalizing hints of a hidden ocean that could, in theory, be habitable.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Missouri State, which was an FCS team before this season, squeaked out a field goal in its first drive of the game and had the confidence to attempt a reverse flea flicker on its next possession, but USC’s defense sniffed out the play and pushed the Bears back 11 yards.
    Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Evans’ film sounds hopeless but isn’t and doesn’t abandon Danny, even if his hope is barely a flicker and never a flame.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Marble floors gleamed beneath towering columns, and the chandeliers cast a warm, golden light.
    Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Megan Moroney, Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow brought the shine to their section in their gleaming ensembles.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Brushed with mayonnaise, the cobs develop a rich and smoky flavor from the grill while a sprinkling of cotija cheese adds a touch of tanginess.
    SAVEUR Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
  • It’s finished with a generous sprinkling of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The sun shimmering and setting at the same time.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Heat oil in pan over medium heat until shimmering.
    Faye Levy, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Destroyed in one second by my mother, its shreds tossed into the garbage can under the sink.
    Miriam Toews September 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
  • But shreds of the original were repurposed and reimagined into a new statement.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The first photo in the carousel showed Brooks posing with her arms wrapped around her husband-to-be, flashing her ring as the couple posed for the camera in the black-and-white shot.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Right now, the studio seems focused on delivering quality, memorable, and creative games that people want to play not just because of the brand name splash screen that will appear before the main menu.
    David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • And the American redstart — a jetblack little fellow with orange splashes — pretty much stopped breeding here in the early 2000s.
    Ari Daniel, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glimmer. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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