Synonyms of glint

glint 1 of 2

verb

ˈglint 

1

as in to gleam

to shoot forth bursts of light

the cat's eyes glinted in the moonlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gleam
• flash
• twinkle
• shimmer
• sparkle
• shine
• glisten
• glitter
• glimmer
• glow
• lustre
• glance
• wink
• flame
• scintillate
• glister
• luster
• spangle
• coruscate
• beam
• winkle
• blind
• dazzle
• radiate
• flare
• glare
• blaze
• daze
• bedazzle
• burn

2

as in to glance

to take a quick or hasty look

the thief glinted around the corner to see if anyone was coming

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glance
• peek
• glimpse
• squint
• skim
• dip
• browse
• peep
• scan
• rake
• blink
• look over
• keek
• peruse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gaze
• stare
• examine
• question
• view
• study
• overlook
• survey
• oversee
• peer
• pry
• gawk
• leer
• goggle
• ogle
• rubberneck

glint

2 of 2

noun

as in gleam

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gleam
• glow
• glare
• glimmer
• shimmer
• lustre
• sheen
• twinkle
• glisten
• luster
• sparkle
• blink
• polish
• gloss
• irradiation
• luminance
• flicker
• shine
• luminescence
• burnish
• illumination
• brilliance
• iridescence
• luminosity
• radiance
• glaze
• finish
• refulgence
• radiancy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dimness
• dullness
• dulness
• flatness
• drabness
• dirtiness
• paleness
• grayness
• gloom
• dinginess
• cloudiness
• obscurity
• somberness
• murkiness
• obscureness

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

Recent Examples of glint

Verb

Crocodiles lounged in the shallows, their eyes glinting when headlamps were shined their way. —Charlie Cordero, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Among the pottery was a broken pot and gold items glinting from within, the ministry said. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025

Noun

On the 11th of March, the Kalmar County Administrative Office shared news of an intriguing find via Facebook; an anonymous local, while exploring a wetland area, had noticed an unusual glint, sparking an archaeological investigation. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2025

Firefly released an image Friday showing a glint of sunlight reaching around the curvature of the Earth, some 250,000 miles (402,000 kilometers) away. —Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025