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glisten

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glisten contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glisten are flash, gleam, glimmer, glint, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When would flash be a good substitute for glisten?

The words flash and glisten can be used in similar contexts, but flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When could gleam be used to replace glisten?

Although the words gleam and glisten have much in common, 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 glisten?

The words glimmer and glisten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When might glint be a better fit than glisten?

While in some cases nearly identical to glisten, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is it sensible to use glitter instead of glisten?

The meanings of glitter and glisten largely overlap; however, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When can shimmer be used instead of glisten?

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

a shimmering satin dress

In what contexts can sparkle take the place of glisten?

The synonyms sparkle and glisten are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 glisten
Verb
This vast, open region of southern Portugal is characterized by its raw, unhurried beauty—inland, the scenery transitions into sprawling pine forests and ancient cork oak woodlands, while salt fields near the coastline glisten under the sun and the scent of the sea lingers in the breeze. Monica Mendal, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025 What really lingers is the scene in which Moiraine and Lan glisten and gleam half-naked in a sweat lodge, once again establishing the profound platonic intimacy that exists between the Aes Sedai and her Warder. Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
Two decades on, the millennial glisten has given way to organic austerity; the dominant tones are now ocher and umber, turmeric and coffee. Martha Schwendener, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 As the twinkle of bulbous holiday ornaments fade away, the gilded glisten of the 2024 Golden Globes arrives, and EW has some bold predictions for winners in the major categories that could be handed out during Sunday's ceremony. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 5 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for glisten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glisten
Verb
  • On his coffee table sits a gleaming metallic hood ornament, a winged pointed figure that looks like a mock spaceship that Gurr hoped would grace a new Lincoln.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Dark and shapely sterling links are offset by irregularly tumbled; pale blue aquamarines that gleam like morning skies reflected in water.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Look for the soft glow on the moon’s darkened side — that’s Earthshine, sunlight reflecting off our planet's oceans, ice caps and clouds.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • We were both immediately captivated by the mood-setting glow of what seemed like hundreds of candles lit throughout the space.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Beneath the surface, the land holds rare treasures: titanite crystals shimmering along the Mirage Trail—offering not just geological intrigue but creative direction.
    Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Similarly, oceans may shimmer red under intense tropical climates when red iron oxides form from the decay of the rock, and rivers pour it into the oceans.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The glint of the sun, gleaming light, on the tops, and shadow, darkness in the troughs.
    Casey Cep, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The light from the lake glints through the windows and falls across Marcus’s face.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Page of Cups shines a spotlight for you, calling you to focus on the aspects of your life that light you up this month.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
  • Neptune will shine at a magnitude of +7.94, which is fainter than the human eye can detect (typically around +6.5 under dark sky conditions).
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Singles players routinely react with varying intensities of glare if an opponent sends a smash in their direction, because there is often more open court at which to aim.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Under the glare of the desert floodlights, a title fight that has been quietly smoldering since Melbourne has now erupted into an open flame.
    Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And the skyline is topped by a luminous neo-Byzantine basilica that sparkles nearly as much as the Mediterranean in sunshine.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Drop of Sunshine New to the brand’s lineup is the Drop of Sunshine sparkling rosé.
    Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Yet, even amidst the shadows, there were glimmers — moments that defied logic or explanation.
    Carissa Talmage, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • France singled in the ninth, too, giving the Twins a glimmer of hope, but DaShawn Keirsey Jr., in to pinch run for him, was thrown out by Naylor trying to steal on the first pitch of Jonah Bride’s at-bat.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glisten. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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