SHIMMERING Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

shimmering 1 of 2

adjective

as in glistening

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Dissimilar Words

shimmering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of shimmer

as in gleaming

to shoot forth bursts of light a sequined dress shimmering under the studio lights

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 shimmering

Adjective

The actress wore a dress from the Lebanese designer’s resort 2027 collection, a pale lilac strapless dress with sheer chiffon fabric encrusted with a bevy of shimmering bugle beads. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026 The shimmering hush of the strings beneath the harp in the Adagietto. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 When the oil is shimmering, add the fish and cook on the first side until deeply browned and almost fully cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Mikey Madison’s pink- and purple-flecked tinsel became one of the defining beauty details of Ani in 2024’s Anora, while Zara Larsson has made shimmering, maximalist hair a fixture of her Midnight Sun era. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026 Reflections, liquid surfaces, shimmering light and fluid choreography underscore the magnetic tension between the two artists, who share the same effortless chemistry that powered their previous global hits. — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026 Asymmetrical dresses swayed with fringe at Jonathan Simkhai while shimmering fringe peeked out from an all-black look at Rachel Comey. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 And the world, Jahaan, is transformed into globe-like tables with shimmering cast-glass tops that resemble the cosmos. — Sean Santiago, Architectural Digest, 15 Sep. 2026 Holding a cognac brown envelope clutch in one hand, McNearney dialed up the sparkle with a shimmering array of gold and crystal bracelets and rings. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

The magnificent lace of the collar, the shimmering black of the garment, the delicate, almost-weightless cuffs. — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 Elizabeth Hurley, 61, turned heads in a pastel-pink lace midi dress complete with shimmering diamanté detailing during a mother-son date night on September 24. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026 Paddle across shimmering waters or cycle beneath majestic oaks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026 Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saute pan over medium heat until shimmering. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 The shoes are complete with the luxury footwear designer’s signature Stardust sole, which is a shimmering bottom finish created by embedding fine micro-glitter, crystal dust and shimmering particles directly into the leather sole of the shoes. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 Steinbach shoots other aspects of nature as well, displaying a particular fondness for the images of plants and trees reflected in shimmering bodies of water. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026 Under the shimmering sun of Tenerife, memory and the present become inseparably intertwined. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shimmering

Adjective

Retailing for $1,170, the all-black style featured glistening satin black uppers that transitioned into open, rounded toes with thick straps.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
In some memes in recent weeks, the photo has become so over-edited that the character's glistening face is slicker, darker and even more uncanny.

— Owen Carry, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of glistening

Verb

In the gleaming lobby, the brand’s signature scent—a warm and woody fragrance reminiscent of two of my favorites, Comme des Garçons’ Wonderwood and Odin New York’s 07 Tanoke—greeted me.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Instead of defaulting to the typical white or chunky sneaker that makes the rounds every season, Hadid opted for a gleaming pair of Puma Speedcats.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of gleaming

Adjective

America’s national parks shine in the summertime, with spectacular mountain passes thawed for the season, sparkling lakes and glittering beaches at the peak of their allure, and blankets of wildflowers exploding into bloom.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Now, revisit some of the most glittering diadems worn by Queen Mary, which later became favorites of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

— Natasha Leake, Vanity Fair, 2 June 2026

Definition of glittering

Verb

Animals started tracking across the plain, their eyes glinting in the flashlights Cordova and Heimann swept back and forth.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026
The placement feels resonant, since Boorman was always operating between poles of glinting victory and laughable failure.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of glinting

Adjective

This shimmery style is achieved by using a magnetic gel polish and a magnet to direct particles in the formula into a 3D pattern on the surface of the nail, creating an effect that mimics the light-shifting pattern of a cat’s eye.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 18 Sep. 2026
This Valentine’s Day, fall in love with a shimmery lion played by Meryl Streep.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of shimmery

Verb

When the collards are fully grown but still rooted in the ground, with the sunlight shining above, the crop’s veins appear plum-colored, with large indigo-green leaves.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Serendipity in the form of misfortune is shining on the Democratic Party’s electoral prospects.

— Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of shining

Adjective

The Grammy Award-winning artist turned to the Australian couturier’s fall 2026 couture collection, wearing a gown with a black bodice with a halter neckline and a contrasting sparkling silver skirt with a thigh-high slit.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026
From there, everyone proceeded through a TSA security checkpoint and on through the sparkling new terminal, complete with LED-screen departure and arrival LED screens and gate displays.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of sparkling

Verb

Yet three successive Democratic presidential campaigns willfully ignored these flashing sirens, instead insisting that Green New Deals and diversity, equity and inclusion programs would appeal to working-class Latino men.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
In others, there are clear personnel issues that are flashing warning signs about what the future may hold.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of flashing

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“Shimmering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shimmering. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shimmering

adjective

verb

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