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
That offered a glimmer of hope for those in Matthews and east Charlotte still hoping to see the Silver Line light rail project built out as originally conceived. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025 Despite this recent glimmer of hope, injected by crypto bull market excitement, overall public companies are struggling. Christopher Perkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
This boxy, three-story home and its detached carport cut striking figures among the dense greenery of the Alpine landscape during the summer and the glimmering white snow during winter. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 June 2025 The usual dull gray-brown of the seafloor was capped by tendrils of inky rock that glimmered with an abundance of glass — the result of rapid quenching when lava hits chilly water. Maya Wei-Haas, New York Times, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for glimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer
Noun
  • With so many Internet sources to listen to and publish on, the public had a chance to be the hero of the story, all these hints of Gilbert Joubert Three Days of the Condor supervillainy just begging us to summon our inner Robert Redford to find him out.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2025
  • The pairing is delicate yet complex as the red berry notes and floral hints mingle with the sweet acid left behind by the tomatoes.
    Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • The magazine, already devoted to witty biographical pieces, now carried a flicker of narrative, with players eased across a provincial stage.
    Paige Williams, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
  • Lighting a campfire and watching as the flames grow and flicker can feel therapeutic — for good reason.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Her white shirt would gleam like chrome under the metallic lights.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
  • The cars are dotted around in a kaleidoscope of colors, a stark contrast to the gleaming white factory floor.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Top it off with one ounce of plain, low-fat Greek yogurt ( about three grams of protein, 21 calories) and a sprinkling of chives.
    Lauren O'Connor, Health, 11 June 2025
  • Forced to reduce their draw from the Raccoon River that summer, the waterworks trustees issued a plea to the people of Des Moines to conserve water and cut back on lawn sprinkling.
    Dave Hage, Literary Hub, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • For the June 27 ceremony, Kim wore a shimmering black glazed dress.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 8 July 2025
  • Playwright Richard Greenberg was the maestro of shimmering verbal arias.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • To date, despite all these ideas, there hasn’t been a single shred of solid evidence for the existence of axions, which naturally drops them down a peg or two on the credibility scale.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
  • Zoé | 2024 | Canada | Rémi St-Michel | Midwest Premiere | The remaining shreds of Zoe’s mind desperately cling to her vague memories of better feelings.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Emotions like doubt or frustration may flash across the face in a split second.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Cameras flash as Combs addresses the crowd, presiding over the scene like a master of ceremonies — or something else entirely.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The Cowboys' biggest splash was trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
  • The live-action reimagining of Disney's beloved animated classic made a big splash at the worldwide box office after its release in late May, bringing in more than $300 million in its opening weekend.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 17 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glimmer. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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