as in gleamed
to shoot forth bursts of light
this seemingly dull opal really glistens in full light
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Recent Examples of glistened
Sticky skin glistened from a long day spent bouncing between stages, making every cool breeze feel like a small gift.
—
Bryan West, USA Today, 14 June 2026
The long curving claws of white ivory glistened their deadly threat.
—Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Only a shimmer of chicken fat glistened on the surface.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Bella glistened in a gold Elie Saab gown from the Fall-Winter 2004 Haute Couture collection, featuring a small train and silver embellishments.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Ma’s bow danced over the strings; Ax’s fingers glistened across the keys.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
The gratification was immediate; tears glistened on fans’ cheeks as the lights pulsed on stage.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
From the top of the mountain at Palisades Tahoe, the surrounding Sierra peaks glistened in the sun like frosted cupcakes.
—Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2026
The trailer’s biggest comedic moment arrives when Woody shows up in person and removes his hat, revealing a bald spot that hilariously glistened in the sunlight and blinded the other toys.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Bryan West, USA Today, 14 June 2026
The long curving claws of white ivory glistened their deadly threat.
—Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Only a shimmer of chicken fat glistened on the surface.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Bella glistened in a gold Elie Saab gown from the Fall-Winter 2004 Haute Couture collection, featuring a small train and silver embellishments.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Ma’s bow danced over the strings; Ax’s fingers glistened across the keys.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
The gratification was immediate; tears glistened on fans’ cheeks as the lights pulsed on stage.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
From the top of the mountain at Palisades Tahoe, the surrounding Sierra peaks glistened in the sun like frosted cupcakes.
—Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2026
The trailer’s biggest comedic moment arrives when Woody shows up in person and removes his hat, revealing a bald spot that hilariously glistened in the sunlight and blinded the other toys.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistened
Verb
-
The 4,202-pipe organ gleamed over us.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2026
-
His jaw tightened as beads of sweat gleamed on his forehead.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
After spending some time by the pool, a semi-Olympic lined with emerald and malachite mosaics that glinted in the soft, ambient light, followed by a quick trip to the sauna, I was escorted to my treatment room, about a half-flight of stairs up, where I was met by Marcia, my therapist.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
The snow glinted gently in the first light of morning.—
Greg Borowski,
jsonline.com,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Others shimmered in reflective vest.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Nov. 2025
-
Galaxies, nebulae, shooting stars, and the Milky Way’s luminous core shimmered all around me, while hundreds of white pinpricks sparkled overhead.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Standing in the shallow lake water, I was lost in this aerial ballet when suddenly something bright red flashed past my view.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Dec. 2025
-
Ware has already flashed his upside this season, grabbing double-digit rebounds in nine straight games in November and recording double-double stat lines in seven of those games.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The bride sparkled in the Pragnell family tiara—the same jewelers who designed her engagement ring (and who, movingly, also designed Queen Elizabeth’s 1946 engagement ring, as well).—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
-
The cover was off and Portage Lake sparkled in the sun.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Glistened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistened. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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