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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
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
Noun
The orchestration — rich, fluid, and glistening with the vaguely exotic plinks of the cimbalom — has the plushness of an antique carpet. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025 There are glistening turquoise pools, loads of cigarettes, diamond jewelry, and everything is doused in the golden Los Angeles sun. Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for glisten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glisten
Verb
  • Dressed in a Versace shirt and gleaming gold chain, Shakur was still out on bond, still basking in the glow of stardom, brushing off a violent altercation with a Crip gang member inside a Sin City casino that had transpired just hours earlier after a Mike Tyson boxing match.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • That means, as Hercules, buoyant Brady is asked to present little beyond a sweet-natured, naive hunk celebrated for his gym membership and gleaming dentistry.
    David Benedict, Variety, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Now my house is awash with the LED glow of charging bulbs that are just waiting for the next power outage to do their trick.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 10 July 2025
  • Set in San Francisco in the early 1990s, this coming-of-age novel shines with a heady, nostalgic glow while never ignoring reality.
    Connie Ogle, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • The river was famous for its largemouth bass — one of the most economically important gamefish in the U.S. The wetlands shimmered with flocks of water birds.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • Nestled in nine hectares of lush, landscaped gardens overlooking a long, sandy beach and the shimmering South China Sea, The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh is a haven of tranquility and wellbeing.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Great Parks Spark in the Dark Illuminate the night by floating on glowing boats as the water glints and gleams.
    Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • The man opened his hand, and the stadium lights reflected, at last, on a glint of silver.
    Jason Anthony, The Atlantic, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • May this triangle shine as a witness, not only to the cruelty of the past but to the courage and beauty of those who resisted with their very being.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • In a separate case covered by Newsweek, a flight attendant shined a flashlight out of a window to check parts of the aircraft's exterior.
    Matthew Impelli, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The cosmic duo will be visible for around two and a half hours before the glare of the rising sun hides the Pleiades from view.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 July 2025
  • With a full understanding about both the financial stakes and the glare of a national spotlight, Tucker has avoided the distractions that could have derailed his performance.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Now one recent video has catapulted Nellie to viral fame, as her owners documented her trying sparkling water, rather than still.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
  • For the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2006, Sánchez stepped out in a black satin gown with sparkling silver details.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Despite this recent glimmer of hope, injected by crypto bull market excitement, overall public companies are struggling.
    Christopher Perkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • But there is a way out of this mess — and a glimmer of hope for Sox fans in the team’s second rebuild since 2017.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glisten. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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