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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
Available in two colors — wintergreen onyx and violet shimmer — the marbled Shiny Bug vinyl records feature exclusive cover art depicting Swift wearing a dark, sparkly leotard with flared spikes and matching gloves. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Aug. 2025 Barcelona dreams in Gaudí’s whimsical curves—where chimneys twist like candy and mosaics shimmer in Park Güell. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
Hanna’s tender harmonies, Stuart Duncan’s delicate fiddle, and the shimmering stringwork from Martin and Brown enrich the track with texture, and emotional depth. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2025 The stars are aligning for you once again, starting this week, Leo, so get ready to shimmer and shine! Kyle Thomas, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shimmer
Verb
  • If the Guard comes, it will be limited to patrolling our city’s gleaming streets in the privileged heart of the city.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Dunn pointed out gleaming replicas of these artifacts, on display in the exhibition, alongside surfboards illustrating the evolution of the spot throughout history.
    Chloe Veltman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Lit Ghost Cloche Add a small but impactful touch of Halloween with these little ghost cloches that add an eerie glow to coffee tables, shelves, and countertops.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
  • For the Grad School Queens and Teachers Whether she’s headed back to school for her master’s or ruling the classroom, the women returning to academia deserve a beauty routine that supports her grind without sacrificing her glow.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Glacier Palace is a frozen wonderland of glittering ice tunnels, intricate sculptures, and even an ice slide.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement Advertisement A recent spate of darkly glittering comedies give us the opportunity to do just that.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The overwhelming success of the book and the resulting media glare opened a divide between them.
    Anderson Tepper, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Mercury was part of it during August, but has since sunk back into the glare of the sun.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The sparkling citrus soda is a versatile beverage that pairs beautifully with a range of dishes, from light salads to rich entrees.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
  • After sparkling speculation of a lighter hair hue during an August sighting, Thursday's outing confirmed that Princess Kate was rocking summer highlights and let her hair grow down to the middle of her back, making for her blondest and longest style ever.
    Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Over time, the fabric will develop a subtle patina—that velvety sheen that actually adds character rather than detracts.
    Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Stones are finished with sheen to appear more natural and rooftops and gold accents are covered with a higher gloss.
    Colson Thayer, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If a fan’s only window into football analytics is a contextless statistic that flashes on the screen, though, then they might be justified in thinking data was useless.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Warning signs have been flashing for months that the job market has been losing steam.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Braided glacial rivers cut through valleys, and massive ice caps glint in the distance.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Pans, scoured, hung from hooks; knives glinted in ascending size.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shimmer. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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