as in polished
having a shiny surface or finish
a glistening marble table top
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in gleaming
to shoot forth bursts of light
this seemingly dull opal really glistens in full light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of glistening
Charlie Kolodziej, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Curving around the glistening, glacial Sarmiento Lake, an amphitheater of rooms gazes up at the Paine massif, with scenes constantly shifting depending on the time of day.
—Sarah Marshall, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Like a concealer that resists settling into fine lines or a hair oil that leaves strands glistening, not greasy, a retinol cream suitable for dry, sensitive skin is somewhat of a rarity in the beauty world.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
Months after its release, singles from the Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers wound their way up the radio charts alongside alt-rock holdovers and glistening pop ballads.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
Last Sunday night at the 2026 Golden Globes, Tessa Thompson wore a bright green dress covered in glistening sequins by Balenciaga, designed for her by the house’s new designer Pierpaolo Piccioli, who came from Valentino.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Jan. 2026
New glistening towers soar high above the historic skyline.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Ready to pound questions into arepas, glistening palms.
—Hazlitt, 9 Jan. 2026
Everton’s glistening new stadium may come with a global beer sponsor, but their first game of the New Year there was utterly sobering.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Essence, 30 Jan. 2026
It is set in a spectacular environment, with glistening steel tracks rising up against a backdrop of cliffs soaring out of the desert.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026
After the waves wash ashore and leave nothing but a blank canvas of sand glistening under the moonlight.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
In the lobby proudly stands an 18-foot tree glistening with 5,100 lights.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 20 Dec. 2025
Social-media users can’t get enough of Olive Jean’s reaction to the Christmas tree glistening in her forever home.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Correcting cyberpunk’s fraught history with Asian cities Cyberpunk stories are often set in neon-glistening cities with futuristic technology.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The bread was chewy and crispy at once, glistening with butter.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Fast forward to September 21 this year, and Jefferson-Wooden’s smile was still beaming, but the medal around her neck was glistening brighter than ever before.
—Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
In Manhattan, a celery root ice cream floats in a briny celeriac soda at Smithereens, and at Echelon in Ann Arbor, Michigan, savory corn ice cream gets topped with a glistening dollop of caviar.
—Charlie Kolodziej, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Curving around the glistening, glacial Sarmiento Lake, an amphitheater of rooms gazes up at the Paine massif, with scenes constantly shifting depending on the time of day.
—Sarah Marshall, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Like a concealer that resists settling into fine lines or a hair oil that leaves strands glistening, not greasy, a retinol cream suitable for dry, sensitive skin is somewhat of a rarity in the beauty world.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
Months after its release, singles from the Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers wound their way up the radio charts alongside alt-rock holdovers and glistening pop ballads.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
Last Sunday night at the 2026 Golden Globes, Tessa Thompson wore a bright green dress covered in glistening sequins by Balenciaga, designed for her by the house’s new designer Pierpaolo Piccioli, who came from Valentino.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Jan. 2026
New glistening towers soar high above the historic skyline.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Ready to pound questions into arepas, glistening palms.
—Hazlitt, 9 Jan. 2026
Everton’s glistening new stadium may come with a global beer sponsor, but their first game of the New Year there was utterly sobering.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
While beauty trends are unfolding on the runway, they’re also being set by the glistening celebs on the front row.
—Essence, 30 Jan. 2026
It is set in a spectacular environment, with glistening steel tracks rising up against a backdrop of cliffs soaring out of the desert.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026
After the waves wash ashore and leave nothing but a blank canvas of sand glistening under the moonlight.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
In the lobby proudly stands an 18-foot tree glistening with 5,100 lights.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 20 Dec. 2025
Social-media users can’t get enough of Olive Jean’s reaction to the Christmas tree glistening in her forever home.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Correcting cyberpunk’s fraught history with Asian cities Cyberpunk stories are often set in neon-glistening cities with futuristic technology.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The bread was chewy and crispy at once, glistening with butter.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Fast forward to September 21 this year, and Jefferson-Wooden’s smile was still beaming, but the medal around her neck was glistening brighter than ever before.
—Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistening
Adjective
-
While sneakers have long been the walking shoe of choice among celebrities, fashion stylist Chelsea Hollenbeck recently told PEOPLE that 2026 favors its polished counterpart.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Carolina Pant, now marked down 32 percent, is made from a wool blend designed to protect against winter drafts, with a flattering high-rise fit that’s ideal for tucking in your most polished tops.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The unlikely eponym follows more than 500 years later, gleaming from the shelves of most major supermarkets, gyms, and convenience stores across America today.—
Sophia Herring,
Vanity Fair,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Plus, the gleaming vessel is a gorgeous addition to any vanity.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Her makeup highlights included a bold brow with lined eyes and a glossy lip.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Leathered and soft-honed finishes will replace ultra-glossy finishes, and natural stone with movement and depth will replace flat, one-dimensional countertop materials.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Something always seems to be lurking in the periphery, glinting off the edges of mirrors, flickering across those black wings offstage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
At first glance, Glass Mountain looks out of place—an irregular, pale, 15-foot mound glinting in the sunlight, as if someone dumped a pile of shiny shards in the middle of the desert.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
To celebrate music’s biggest night, the star wore a sleek tuxedo from Schiaparelli—the first-ever major menswear red carpet moment for the label.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The country star styled her hair in a sleek updo and accessorized with gold drop earrings.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Add the oil and heat until shimmering.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Within this shimmering neural landscape, a striking pattern emerged.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
-
From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Isabel Garcia,
Peoplemag,
13 Jan. 2023
Verb
-
While a tweed suit and ruffle blouse can feel a little stuffy and traditional, these eye-catching, glittering gold necklaces add a welcome touch of shine to give this look a fresh feel.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
Glamour,
3 Feb. 2026
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The labor-intensive curiosity, long relegated to fruitcake and other traditional sweets, is making a glittering comeback.—
Hannah Walhout,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Glistening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistening. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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