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
Paul has done enough to create at least a glimmer of questions about the potential result. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 The glimmer of Eastland Mall’s early days eventually faded, and crowds waned. Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2025
Verb
For decades, girls have flocked to Camp Mystic to spend their summer days canoeing and fishing the Guadalupe River before retreating to bunk beds in rustic cabins just steps from the glimmering water. New York Times, 10 July 2025 At the shoulder and near the cutout sections were glimmering jewel embellishments that accentuated the fabric. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for glimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer
Noun
  • Meanwhile, glitter shadow spilled under her eyes, filling in her waterline next to a brown eyeliner with hints of gold.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Crafted Flatzz are available in five different artisanal recipes, according to Pizza Hut, including a Three Cheese Flatzz that is layered with sweet marinara sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, Romano and a hint of oregano.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The heartfelt lyrics poignantly articulate the slow fading of their once bright connection, depicting the pain of watching a previously vibrant flame flicker and ultimately extinguish despite their sincere efforts to nurture and revive it over time.
    Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Light broke through the mountains in flickers, then vanished as the storm thickened.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • If the Guard comes, it will be limited to patrolling our city’s gleaming streets in the privileged heart of the city.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Dunn pointed out gleaming replicas of these artifacts, on display in the exhibition, alongside surfboards illustrating the evolution of the spot throughout history.
    Chloe Veltman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • It’s finished with a generous sprinkling of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Overwatering from an automatic sprinkling system could also be part of the problem.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Moored on the shimmering curve of the South Bank, Sea Containers is London’s answer to maritime maximalism—an all-day, all-night glam escape where ocean liner nostalgia gets a high-gloss, high-style reboot.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The woman, who goes by Madi online, shared the clip, to her TikTok account @tiktakmadi on Friday, showing a thin layer of white clouds in the sky, revealing the shimmering skyscrapers, reflecting the pink light of the sunrise above the iconic city.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Shred into large pieces into a bowl, then go back through with your fingers to break into fine shreds.
    Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
  • To them, the phrase conveyed the precious shreds of humanity that survive the dehumanizing effects of the internet.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • If a fan’s only window into football analytics is a contextless statistic that flashes on the screen, though, then they might be justified in thinking data was useless.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Warning signs have been flashing for months that the job market has been losing steam.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Amiron Zero are designed to be resistant to dust and splashes thanks to the IP54 rating.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Specifically, brown trousers in a wide-leg style seem to be making the biggest splash among the fashion pros.
    Mayte Salido, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glimmer. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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