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
Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 June 2026
Beef cheeks and tongues, Frenched racks of lamb, glistening hams, poulet de Bresse, and rabbits still with their heads, round eyes blinkless under long lashes frozen in the ice.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
His uniform and scalp were lined with glistening rivulets of oil, water, soot and sweat.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
The signature fried chicken wings arrive crisp and glistening, accompanied by sauces applied with a brush, a nod to traditional craft.
—Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
An employee popped open a smoker door and showed a glistening stack of rotating meat.
—Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
In the summer, its population swells as Italians flock here seeking sun and the chance to swim in the glistening azure sea and soak in the thermal hot springs.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
Marcloid may often employ the sonic language of misery and darkness, but her glistening synths, rubbery rhythms, and radioactive colors transform a raging storm into an expression of radiant, high-definition joy.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 8 May 2026
The entry foyer, with its vaulted ceiling and glistening floor, is welcoming and impressive.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 27 May 2026
These technologies get utterly confused by the transition from a matte brick wall to a shiny metallic bumper, or from dull tissue to glistening bodily fluids.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
The route gains steady elevation to the glistening shore of Saint Mary’s Lake, which is set beneath a semi-permanent snowfield.
—Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
The remaining three — a chocolate brown pocket blush, a baby pink bottle and a glistening bronze bottle — were captioned with a brown heart, stars and the eyes emoji.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
From heirloom tiaras to glistening sapphires and an ocean’s worth of pearls, Elizabeth had a bijou box worth millions—composed of both new pieces and the 142 Crown Jewels that are passed from monarch to monarch.
—Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026
He was hunched over, his shoulders rounded beneath the material of his dark blue blazer; his strong, square features were glistening with sweat.
—Ben Mezrich, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
Locking up that glistening new contract, and a load of political capital within the university, before Michigan locked up his team.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
This rapid change in temperature creates condensation, which is why your lawn is often glistening with dew on spring and summer mornings.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Lopez paired the perfect party dress with matching drop sparkly earrings and strappy sandals that also featured glistening sparkle details.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 June 2026
Beef cheeks and tongues, Frenched racks of lamb, glistening hams, poulet de Bresse, and rabbits still with their heads, round eyes blinkless under long lashes frozen in the ice.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
His uniform and scalp were lined with glistening rivulets of oil, water, soot and sweat.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
The signature fried chicken wings arrive crisp and glistening, accompanied by sauces applied with a brush, a nod to traditional craft.
—Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
An employee popped open a smoker door and showed a glistening stack of rotating meat.
—Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
In the summer, its population swells as Italians flock here seeking sun and the chance to swim in the glistening azure sea and soak in the thermal hot springs.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
Marcloid may often employ the sonic language of misery and darkness, but her glistening synths, rubbery rhythms, and radioactive colors transform a raging storm into an expression of radiant, high-definition joy.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 8 May 2026
The entry foyer, with its vaulted ceiling and glistening floor, is welcoming and impressive.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Verb
Mercury will complete the line-up, glistening close to the horizon, but will prove a greater challenge to spot in the glow of the setting sun.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 27 May 2026
These technologies get utterly confused by the transition from a matte brick wall to a shiny metallic bumper, or from dull tissue to glistening bodily fluids.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
The route gains steady elevation to the glistening shore of Saint Mary’s Lake, which is set beneath a semi-permanent snowfield.
—Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
The remaining three — a chocolate brown pocket blush, a baby pink bottle and a glistening bronze bottle — were captioned with a brown heart, stars and the eyes emoji.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
From heirloom tiaras to glistening sapphires and an ocean’s worth of pearls, Elizabeth had a bijou box worth millions—composed of both new pieces and the 142 Crown Jewels that are passed from monarch to monarch.
—Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026
He was hunched over, his shoulders rounded beneath the material of his dark blue blazer; his strong, square features were glistening with sweat.
—Ben Mezrich, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
Locking up that glistening new contract, and a load of political capital within the university, before Michigan locked up his team.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
This rapid change in temperature creates condensation, which is why your lawn is often glistening with dew on spring and summer mornings.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistening
Adjective
-
The Seleção has found a highly polished style of play that carried it to the 2025 UEFA Nations League title.—
Esteban Campanela,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
Style this blouse with wide-leg pants for dinner reservations, historical site visits, theater outings, or any occasion that calls for a more polished dress code.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The diamond-on-ear piece can be matched with a diamond drop below the lobe, or toned down with a gleaming gold drop below the ear.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
The coaster with a max speed of 66 mph took more than 20,000 hours to construct and at least 9,000 gallons of white paint for its gleaming appearance.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Michigan has banned the import of six invasive plant species, writes the Detroit Free Press, including the Callery pear tree, glossy buckthorn, common buckthorn and Japanese barberry.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Lopez pulled out her signature glam for the evening, highlighting her features with smoky eyeshadow, a glossy nude lip, and sculpted cheekbones.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
In their gowns and bowties, guests giddily slurp mounds of glinting caviar off the back of their hand.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 June 2026
-
No one wanted to stand behind the commanding warriors, draped in blankets and furs, brass hoops in their earlobes, medals and wampum on their strong chests, silver armbands glinting in the light.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
Michelle Pfeiffer wears a sleek black pantsuit at IndieWire TV Honors 2026 on June 4 in Los Angeles.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
-
With sleek designs, easy-to-use functionality, and options for the whole family, iTouch Wearables blends fashion and technology at accessible prices, perfect for life on the go.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon oil over medium-high until shimmering, about 1 minute.—
Emily Weinstein,
Twin Cities,
4 June 2026
-
Lopez’s dress was crafted with a black, long-sleeve top and a high neckline covered in shimmering sequins.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 June 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
-
Atop her head sat a glittering bridal tiara on loan from Pragnell, the jewelry designer behind her engagement ring from Phillips.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
-
One butcher joined the march with the longest carving fork Ursula had ever seen, twin tines glittering sharp overhead.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Glistening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistening. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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