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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
My living friends teeth glinting in the low light silverware against ceramic Tarsus, manus, stinger, legs. Safia Elhillo, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 Photo: Courtesy New Ravenna Easily transfixed by sunlight glinting off gold jewelry? Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
The images often frame Bono in shadow, with glints of light around him, lending a chiaroscuro elegance to his presence. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025 The glint of the sun, gleaming light, on the tops, and shadow, darkness in the troughs. Casey Cep, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glint
Verb
  • Ranging from $45 to $55, the eight art prints in the capsule feature pre-framed designs that gleam with silver and gold foil detailing.
    Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2025
  • The gleaming family-style kitchen that's both welcoming and chic.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Williams, looking scruffy in tan prison scrubs, was impassive throughout the proceedings — glancing back at his family only once before being led away.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 12 June 2025
  • Every so often, though, those respondents sitting in the courtroom’s pews glanced out the door.
    Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • The sunscreen’s lightweight formula gives my skin a radiant glow instead of a chalky finish.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • To execute his signature summer glow, Turner reaches for Chanel Les Beiges Water Tint for fresh, sheer coverage.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement What Ennis fears, the violent murder that flashes through his mind when Lureen tells him of Jack’s death as a result of an exploding tire, is still happening.
    Rich Juzwiak, Time, 24 June 2025
  • Production Retail Sales isn’t the only indicator flashing weakness.
    Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Krukow peeked over the spine of his book at Kuiper.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Mars orbiter spots volcano peeking above clouds The new panorama captured by the Odyssey orbiter shows one of Mars' tallest volcanoes poking through clouds just before dawn.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Gravina’s praise for his temperament amid the media glare also left one with the impression that the FIGC president can’t be on social media, where the reels of Gattuso’s press conference shenanigans have guaranteed virality.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • There are protectors that serve many different purposes, such as protecting your TV screen from cracks, reducing glare on your screen and protecting your TV from the elements. TV surface protection Most people who are buying a TV screen protector are looking for surface protection.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Only during a total solar eclipse can the corona be glimpsed from Earth’s surface, and even then, only for a few minutes from any one location.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • In Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Floyd, one of the astronauts, is briefly glimpsed sucking from a meal of Seabrook Farms Liquipacks—a liquified carrot, fish, and leafy vegetable—while transiting to the moon.
    John Seabrook June 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Telehealth offers a glimmer of a solution, but as everyone who’s tried to show off a concerning mole to a doctor via a smartphone camera knows: Video technology can only get you so far.
    Christopher Null, Wired News, 19 June 2025
  • For travelers, Christchurch Airport offers a glimmer of hope.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glint. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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