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
Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
The former fake hotel is now full of glistening bronze pipes, a retro futurist look that former Imagineer Joe Rohde, who led the design, has said takes influence from the high-tech aesthetic of architect Renzo Piano, who worked on France’s Pompidou Centre.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
And all of those figures will move together into a new glistening practice facility before training camp begins.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Directed by Jerry Morka, the video finds BigX and company rolling out old-school automobiles dipped in candy paint with glistening rims, staying true to the Texan tradition of always doing it big.
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
Then they were scooped from the pot and set on a plate to rest, glistening and congealed, revealing the color of the filling within.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
The sound was plush, the sense of space immense, the details glistening — and half a dozen visitors sat listening in rigid discomfort.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 26 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
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
In the Giotto bed skirt, folds don’t just ripple so much as elegantly undulate, glistening with the kind of delicate sheen that only sateen and silk can accomplish.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
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
Adjective
The velvet number had glistening golden fringe on the skirt.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
The former fake hotel is now full of glistening bronze pipes, a retro futurist look that former Imagineer Joe Rohde, who led the design, has said takes influence from the high-tech aesthetic of architect Renzo Piano, who worked on France’s Pompidou Centre.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
And all of those figures will move together into a new glistening practice facility before training camp begins.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Directed by Jerry Morka, the video finds BigX and company rolling out old-school automobiles dipped in candy paint with glistening rims, staying true to the Texan tradition of always doing it big.
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
Then they were scooped from the pot and set on a plate to rest, glistening and congealed, revealing the color of the filling within.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
The sound was plush, the sense of space immense, the details glistening — and half a dozen visitors sat listening in rigid discomfort.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 26 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
Verb
The glistening lanes of the westbound 10 Freeway after a big rig carrying syrup overturned in Fontana on Monday, March 16, 2026.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
In the Giotto bed skirt, folds don’t just ripple so much as elegantly undulate, glistening with the kind of delicate sheen that only sateen and silk can accomplish.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistening
Adjective
-
Sticking to a cotton-candy sky color palette (think blush, baby blue, and hints of lavender), the look feels equal parts playful and polished.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
These wide-leg trousers look equally polished at dinner or while exploring museums, but feel comfortable enough for all-day wear.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The main street that intercepts the end of my block is tree-lined and buzzing, with generous sidewalks, gleaming (and respected) crosswalks, and wide windowscapes just begging to be strolled and observed.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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The unique style features all-over leather construction, a barely-there block heel, sophisticated angular toes, and a gleaming hardware accent that’ll peek out from under trouser hems.—
Olivia Cigliano,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On the walls, some embossed with seashells, are moon carvings and brass suns, glossy lacquer minibars in baby blues and oxblood reds, and wonky puzzle piece doorknobs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Separately, curtains and wallpaper adorned in smaller-scale patterns and matte finishes tend to read calmer than glossy or metallic treatments that can introduce noise and disarray.—
Jacorey Moon,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The path down is picturesque, but peppered with black snakes glinting in the sun.—
Kristina Kasparian,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
-
For most of the second half of Friday night’s semifinal game against Houston at T-Mobile Center, the Hall of Fame coach covered his mouth with his knuckles, his silver wedding band glinting under the lights.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Along with their sleek styles (no cheesy paisley patterns here), these cases are filled with extra pockets and compartments to ensure easy access to your favorite products and tools.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
15 Mar. 2026
-
It's often adorned with wide straps, sleek zippers, or statement details to give the silhouette a distinctive finish while keeping the overall design streamlined.—
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Heidi Klum wowed in a strapless champagne column gown featuring shimmering crystal embellishments and intricate vertical beadwork.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Pearl drop earrings peek through her tousled strands, adding an extra dose of glam and complementing the shimmering champagne tones of her gown.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 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
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At Guiducci’s direction, this year’s party was moved from its longtime perch at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills to brand-new digs at LACMA — where guests were supposed to get an exclusive first peek at the museum’s glittering new David Geffen galleries.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
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High above Phang Nga Bay, Como’s property has a near-panoramic vista of the glittering waters below.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Glistening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistening. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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