as in gleams
to shoot forth bursts of light
this seemingly dull opal really glistens in full light
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Recent Examples of glistens
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Lake Graham glistens in the distance.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
His hotel in Las Vegas glistens like a vertical gold bar.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
And then there’s Nico, looking like everybody’s big brother at spring practices, smack-talking and celebrating the guys, as engaged as Chesney but easier to spot because his golden helmet glistens above everyone else’s.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
When the weather is good, the water glistens on the River Mersey and the nearby docks, fans can walk to the ground, and all feels right with the world.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
For a steak that glistens, brush on some vegetable glycerin.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Mar. 2026
Keep it cute and simple with a purple manicure that glistens.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Outside of those windows is Lake Michigan, which glistens in the sun during the day and glows under the moon at night.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the morning, as guests in Celine sunglasses line up for iced lattes, the display case glistens with fresh chocolate croissants, and fruit and grain bowls are whipped up to order.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Lake Graham glistens in the distance.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
His hotel in Las Vegas glistens like a vertical gold bar.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
And then there’s Nico, looking like everybody’s big brother at spring practices, smack-talking and celebrating the guys, as engaged as Chesney but easier to spot because his golden helmet glistens above everyone else’s.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
When the weather is good, the water glistens on the River Mersey and the nearby docks, fans can walk to the ground, and all feels right with the world.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
For a steak that glistens, brush on some vegetable glycerin.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Mar. 2026
Keep it cute and simple with a purple manicure that glistens.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Outside of those windows is Lake Michigan, which glistens in the sun during the day and glows under the moon at night.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistens
Verb
-
Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Despite a couple of funky skips, the album is fueled by the hunger of an artist who really wants the pop life again, perking up electro-scuzz and arena rock with new wave that gleams like glitter.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Come evening, the pizza oven glows or a local farm-to-table chef cooks as the light fades.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The blue-white light of the star Spica will be visible twinkling to the upper right of the lunar disk in the constellation Virgo, while the red supergiant Arcturus glows to its upper left in Bootes.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Each new hill brings a slightly different and powerful view of Martinez and its petroleum refinery infrastructure; farther in the horizon, like a mirage of an ivory city, shimmers a wind-turbine farm.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
The perfectly symmetrical volcano is best viewed from Lake Kawaguchiko, where its reflection shimmers across the water.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Interior defensive line shines, edge rushers still growing One of the major surprises of the spring was Will Smith Jr.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Sandy shines, Marlins win to launch latest season of budget-ball // Sister Jean gone.—
Greg Cote
April 19,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Glistens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistens. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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