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
Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The reimagining of Chula Vista’s shoreline continues as the Port of San Diego prepares to introduce new public amenities designed to enhance the waterfront expanse opposite the glistening Gaylord resort.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The spaces get smaller and smaller as the shark approaches, radiating a sense of that closing distance until the string stabs cut into the listener like so many glistening teeth.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Below-zero temperatures have beauty insiders daydreaming about being under the tropical sun; their faces bronzed, their hair sandy, and their nails glistening like the ocean.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Jett, who is typically outfitted in a catsuit — no pun intended — swaps her sporty look for a glistening gold halter top and a pair of empire waist trousers while arriving at a particularly important game.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Angelina Jolie made a glistening entrance at the Parisian premiere of her new film, Couture.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
Bag a table outside to fully soak up the glistening ocean panorama, interrupted only by the occasional strutting peacock.
—Harriet Compston, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Before the 1945 season, there was a cartoon of him in the paper—Big Number 7 of the Rams—and there was his face, clean and glistening, under wavy hair and wearing a perfect smile.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Surrounded by a never-ending patchwork of tea plantations, with Castlereagh Reservoir glistening in the distance, this beautiful bungalow is a picture of colonial elegance.
—Harriet Compston, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
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
Adjective
The garlic bread is presented as a glistening round of spelt schiacciata gushing with butter, garlic and parsley.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The reimagining of Chula Vista’s shoreline continues as the Port of San Diego prepares to introduce new public amenities designed to enhance the waterfront expanse opposite the glistening Gaylord resort.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The spaces get smaller and smaller as the shark approaches, radiating a sense of that closing distance until the string stabs cut into the listener like so many glistening teeth.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Below-zero temperatures have beauty insiders daydreaming about being under the tropical sun; their faces bronzed, their hair sandy, and their nails glistening like the ocean.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Jett, who is typically outfitted in a catsuit — no pun intended — swaps her sporty look for a glistening gold halter top and a pair of empire waist trousers while arriving at a particularly important game.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Angelina Jolie made a glistening entrance at the Parisian premiere of her new film, Couture.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
Bag a table outside to fully soak up the glistening ocean panorama, interrupted only by the occasional strutting peacock.
—Harriet Compston, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Before the 1945 season, there was a cartoon of him in the paper—Big Number 7 of the Rams—and there was his face, clean and glistening, under wavy hair and wearing a perfect smile.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
By the time the women are seated on velvet-upholstered chairs that rise behind them like thrones, with glistening silverware and a large bouquet of flowers at the center of the table, the tension has reached breaking point.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Surrounded by a never-ending patchwork of tea plantations, with Castlereagh Reservoir glistening in the distance, this beautiful bungalow is a picture of colonial elegance.
—Harriet Compston, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistening
Adjective
-
At first glance, the hotel’s facade looks like any other sleek office block on this leafy boulevard in Songshan—polished glass, lots of steel, and unlikely to win any prizes for its exterior looks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Right now, members can unlock dozens of spring-ready travel deals starting at just $8, with exclusive discounts on everything from luggage upgrades to polished matching sets that make for the perfect airport outfits.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Videos aired at the meeting showed a future of gleaming high-rises and new soccer pitches.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Four gleaming minaret-style towers welcome visitors to Alys Beach and a stretch of the scenic highway flanked by towering palm trees.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Only Murders in the Building star accessorized with chunky gold hoops and a sleek lob, while her makeup consisted of glittery white eyeshadow, mauve blush, and a glossy pout.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
-
For the occasion, Ice Spice slipped into glossy patent leather pumps with an ultra-sharp pointed toe.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
20 Feb. 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
-
At first glance, the hotel’s facade looks like any other sleek office block on this leafy boulevard in Songshan—polished glass, lots of steel, and unlikely to win any prizes for its exterior looks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Mescal, meanwhile, went classic in his black tuxedo and white collarless shirt—a nice modern touch to timeless menswear dressing, right down to his sleek little brooch.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The images show the northern lights shimmering over the Denmark Strait and across parts of Canada during a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The actress accessorized her look with shimmering Chaumet jewelry pieces, including earrings and a statement necklace.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
22 Feb. 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
-
On her head sat the Spencer tiara, a glittering family heirloom.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The resort boasts some of the best views on the continent, as the mountain looks over Lago Nahuel Huapi, providing a glittering lake backdrop to almost every run.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Glistening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistening. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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