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glint

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glint contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glint are flash, gleam, glimmer, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is flash a more appropriate choice than glint?

The words flash and glint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When would gleam be a good substitute for glint?

The synonyms gleam and glint are sometimes interchangeable, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

Where would glimmer be a reasonable alternative to glint?

The meanings of glimmer and glint largely overlap; however, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When might glisten be a better fit than glint?

The words glisten and glint can be used in similar contexts, but glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

In what contexts can glitter take the place of glint?

While in some cases nearly identical to glint, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When is it sensible to use shimmer instead of glint?

While the synonyms shimmer and glint are close in meaning, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When could sparkle be used to replace glint?

In some situations, the words sparkle and glint are roughly equivalent. 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 glint
Verb
Overhead, twin glints of silver were traveling nearly wing-to-wing and scratching a vapor trail across the heavens. Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025 They were all infused with this new self-confidence and this glint in their eye by the end. Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
Noun
Silver badges and tenderly polished buttons glint in the sun. Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 17 July 2025 Sunlight glints off the water with a Mediterranean shimmer. Alexandra Gillespie, AFAR Media, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for glint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glint
Verb
  • From a distance, Biosphere 2 emerges from the cacti and creosote of the Sonoran desert like a gleaming oasis, a colony of glass and bright white structures.
    Chris Impey, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The next revolution in electrification may not arrive as a gleaming battery or a vast mine.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In a YouTube video, the robot’s head glances around with a quizzical expression and blinks in a way that is eerily lifelike.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
  • All rights reserved Max Fried glanced at his hand on July 12 and a frustrating start against the Cubs ended early with a blister.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And the eyes of the locals—watery, bloodshot from drink, whites cracked from the steady glow of the TV.
    Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Her effortlessly dewy glow is the subject of envy and inspiration for fanart and makeup tutorials.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An abundance of kitschy wall decorations (fuzzy dice, fake flowers, party streamers) gleamed under flashing lights, casting the room in lurid shades of pink and green.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The sophomore flashed his potential among several Mission Viejo wide receivers over the summer, and transferred late in the offseason to Tustin.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Though the city skyline peeks out above the custom privacy screens, the terrace feels like you’re enveloped among nature.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Baker wisely doesn’t attempt to write entirely in Austen’s wry style, but glimmers do peek through.
    Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Stepping out, into the glare, was like hitting a wall.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Tint on the windshield further reduces glare from lights and sunlight to improve driver visibility.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout the book, Harris provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her historic sprint for the White House.
    Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Kim’s sisters – Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall and Kylie – can be glimpsed in what appears to be a wedding vow renewal from 2019.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Starting pitching has been an issue for the Angels for years, so any quality outing from one of their young pitchers provides a glimmer of hope for the future.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Baker wisely doesn’t attempt to write entirely in Austen’s wry style, but glimmers do peek through.
    Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glint. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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