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shimmer

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb shimmer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shimmer are flash, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When is it sensible to use flash instead of shimmer?

The meanings of flash and shimmer largely overlap; however, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When can gleam be used instead of shimmer?

While in some cases nearly identical to shimmer, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When could glimmer be used to replace shimmer?

In some situations, the words glimmer and shimmer are roughly equivalent. However, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

Where would glint be a reasonable alternative to shimmer?

The words glint and shimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

In what contexts can glisten take the place of shimmer?

The words glisten and shimmer can be used in similar contexts, but glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When might glitter be a better fit than shimmer?

While the synonyms glitter and shimmer are close in meaning, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When would sparkle be a good substitute for shimmer?

Although the words sparkle and shimmer have much in common, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

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 shimmer
Verb
Makeup artist Diana Shin kept Megan's glam soft and summery with shimmering eyes, long lashes, and flushed pink cheeks. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 May 2025 Much of the hiking is flat with shimmering waves of grass all the way to the horizon in every direction. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 29 May 2025
Noun
Meanwhile, celebrity makeup artist Wendi Tolkin San George says a smokey eye can be done with silver shimmers, instead of bronze, which pairs well with Beyoncé’s cowboy denim. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Apr. 2025 Silver Chrome Who says silver shimmer is only a winter shade? Audrey Noble, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shimmer
Verb
  • Ranging from $45 to $55, the eight art prints in the capsule feature pre-framed designs that gleam with silver and gold foil detailing.
    Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2025
  • The gleaming family-style kitchen that's both welcoming and chic.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • The sunscreen’s lightweight formula gives my skin a radiant glow instead of a chalky finish.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • To execute his signature summer glow, Turner reaches for Chanel Les Beiges Water Tint for fresh, sheer coverage.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • This natural phenomenon, in which light-emitting sea creatures like algae cause the water to glitter with specks of blue and white light, is best viewed on a dark, moonless night.
    Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 16 June 2025
  • The summer ball scheduled for July 6 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, already buzzy thanks to having filmmaker Sofia Coppola as its artistic director, has also assembled an honorary committee stacked with glittering names.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • Gravina’s praise for his temperament amid the media glare also left one with the impression that the FIGC president can’t be on social media, where the reels of Gattuso’s press conference shenanigans have guaranteed virality.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • There are protectors that serve many different purposes, such as protecting your TV screen from cracks, reducing glare on your screen and protecting your TV from the elements. TV surface protection Most people who are buying a TV screen protector are looking for surface protection.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Earlier pressings of this record sounded muddy and boxed in, but here, the piano sparkles and the guitar cuts.
    Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025
  • Littell has been sparkling in that area with a mark of 1.07.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • The Two by Vince Camuto Stripe Cotton T-shirt Dress, a classic throw-on-and-go option, is just $64, and the Open Edit Matte Satin T-shirt, now half off, offers a polished sheen that elevates any travel outfit.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
  • This small step goes a long way in preventing abrasion and preserving the linen’s natural sheen. 5.
    Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement What Ennis fears, the violent murder that flashes through his mind when Lureen tells him of Jack’s death as a result of an exploding tire, is still happening.
    Rich Juzwiak, Time, 24 June 2025
  • Production Retail Sales isn’t the only indicator flashing weakness.
    Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Sunlight glints off the water with a Mediterranean shimmer.
    Alexandra Gillespie, AFAR Media, 23 June 2025
  • Simulations suggest that roughly one in 10 Rubin images will contain at least one bright streak or glint from the thousands of SpaceX Starlink and other satellites orbiting Earth.
    Jonathan Corum, New York Times, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shimmer. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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