GLISTENING Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

glistening 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgli-sᵊn-iŋ

Definition of glistening

as in polished

having a shiny surface or finish a glistening marble table top

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

glistening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of glisten

as in gleaming

to shoot forth bursts of light this seemingly dull opal really glistens in full light

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 glistening

Adjective

Styled by Leslie Fremar, the actress wore a glistening silver dress made entirely of shredded metallic fringing that dangled around her body. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 31 July 2026 The suite next door had a full kitchen with glistening white-and-burgundy countertops, door frames set in raw marble, and a dining table sourced from a Paris flea market. — Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2026

Verb

Muchová faded from the set after that, leaving the court at the set break while Gauff remained, unbothered by the sun and the sweat glistening on her shoulders. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 July 2026 The rest of Taylor’s ensemble looked like an elevated interpretation of denim-on-denim, with matching slouchy pants and a jacket glistening with sequins; the jacket was layered over a simple white top. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for glistening

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistening

Adjective

Elsewhere, Hailey Bieber gave us a lesson in polished wedding guest glam, while Joey King played with the little details on the Practical Magic 2 promo tour.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
Pick up a rich-looking faux-suede jacket and comfy clogs for polished outfits.

— Brooke Knappenberger, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of polished

Verb

In their place stands One World Trade Center, a gleaming glass tower that rises defiantly above a skyline that has been forever changed.

— Thomas E. Franklin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
In This Article Fireclay sinks have been a kitchen staple for centuries, with their iconic, usually white, gleaming glaze that turns an otherwise utilitarian fixture into a striking visual highlight.

— Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of gleaming

Adjective

Season 2 of Guy Ritchie‘s glossy crime drama premiered on September 3 on Netflix and, after seven days of streaming, the first episode was watched by 3 million British viewers.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026
Brooks Nader kept the pointed toe and bent the heel at Wednesday’s CFDA kickoff for New York Fashion Week, pairing glossy black pumps with an archival Dolce & Gabbana lace dress at Rockefeller Plaza on Wednesday night.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of glossy

Verb

Researchers at the wild cat center weren't able to document him on camera again until the summer of 2025, when a camera trap turned up a shadowy picture of the jaguar, his eyes glinting in the camera’s light.

— Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2026
The placement feels resonant, since Boorman was always operating between poles of glinting victory and laughable failure.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of glinting

Adjective

This season, nowhere is this more evident than in the slew of sleek brown ballet flats dominating the market, from luxe pairs by Alaïa, Gucci, and The Row to contemporary favorites from Dear Frances, Yuni Buffa, and Freda Salvador.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2026
The living and dining areas are anchored by polished concrete floors and a sleek wood-burning fireplace.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of sleek

Verb

Dazzling in majolica tile, the Santa Maria Assunta catches the sunlight in ribbons of green, gold, and cobalt—an architectural wonder shimmering above the sea.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
The 59-year-old actress kept the summer vibes going at the Practical Magic 2 premiere on August 26, shimmering from head to toe in a seafoam green sequin gown that was dripping in pearls and gold chains.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shimmering

Verb

Adell has driven in 28 runs in 38 games with Cleveland and joins glittering rookie Chase DeLauter and steady veteran Steven Kwan in a productive outfield.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The Rolex Swan Cup takes place every two years on the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia’s glittering northern Italian coastline, and this September a record 170 yachts will line up on a hectic start line.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of glittering

Browse Nearby Words

glistened

glistening

glistens

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Glistening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistening. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of glistening

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes