Synonyms of shine

shine 1 of 2

verb

ˈshīn 

1

as in to glow

to emit rays of light

the sun appears to shine particularly brightly in summer because that is when it's closest to the Earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glow
• beam
• ray
• radiate
• flash
• flare
• gleam
• illumine
• flicker
• burn
• sparkle
• glisten
• light
• illuminate
• shimmer
• glimmer
• blaze
• glitter
• lustre
• fire
• flame
• brighten
• twinkle
• glint
• lighten
• glare
• beat (down)
• sheen
• dazzle
• scintillate
• luster
• glister
• luminesce
• blind
• blink
• spangle
• coruscate
• irradiate
• wink
• winkle
• bedazzle
• daze

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• darken
• blacken
• lower
• lour

2

as in to polish

to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure

the salesman shined his shoes every morning before leaving the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

• polish
• rub
• smooth
• gloss
• coat
• burnish
• scrub
• buff
• dress
• grind
• scrape
• finish
• sand
• furbish
• brighten
• face
• slick
• smoothen
• glaze
• sleek
• bob
• varnish
• file
• bone
• japan
• lacquer
• scour
• veneer
• sandblast
• sandpaper
• lap
• rasp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough (up)
• roughen
• ruffle
• scuff (up)

shine

2 of 2

noun

1

as in gleam

brightness created by light reflected from a surface

the troop inspector insisted on nothing less than a dazzling shine from every pair of shoes in the line of review

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gleam
• glow
• glare
• glint
• lustre
• sheen
• sparkle
• polish
• luster
• gloss
• shimmer
• burnish
• twinkle
• luminance
• illumination
• glimmer
• glisten
• blink
• brilliance
• irradiation
• glaze
• luminescence
• finish
• luminosity
• radiance
• flicker
• iridescence
• refulgence
• radiancy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dullness
• dimness
• dulness
• flatness
• drabness
• dirtiness
• paleness
• gloom
• dinginess
• grayness
• cloudiness
• obscurity
• somberness
• murkiness
• obscureness

2

as in glow

the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible

by the shine of the full moon we could see the rabbit helping himself to our garden vegetables

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glow
• light
• glare
• gleam
• glint
• illumination
• sunlight
• radiance
• beam
• glimmer
• luminescence
• blaze
• fluorescence
• twinkle
• flare
• sparkle
• moonlight
• shimmer
• flash
• incandescence
• ray
• reflection
• sunshine
• glitter
• scintillation
• lustre
• sheen
• daylight
• luster
• streak
• polish
• halo
• sunbeam
• gloss
• glisten
• aurora
• stream
• aureole
• shaft
• aureola
• afterglow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• night
• darkness
• dark
• shadow
• gloom
• dusk
• blackness
• dimness
• duskiness

3

as in like

positive regard for something

took quite a shine to the new neighbors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• like
• liking
• taste
• love
• use
• appetite
• relish
• preference
• enthusiasm
• tendency
• craving
• thirst
• desire
• love affair
• fancy
• fondness
• favor
• partiality
• interest
• longing
• passion
• tooth
• weakness
• prejudice
• inclination
• bias
• gusto
• hankering
• bent
• propensity
• yen
• palate
• leaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hatred
• dislike
• disgust
• distaste
• loathing
• aversion
• disfavor
• indifference
• apathy
• mislike
• disinclination
• unconcern

4

as in trick

usually shines plural a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke

the shines they pulled at summer camp have become embellished with each retelling

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trick
• practical joke
• joking
• frolic
• caper
• escapade
• prank
• shavie
• rag
• monkeyshine(s)
• gag
• antic
• performance
• waggery
• dido
• capriccio
• stunt
• roguery
• experience
• knavery
• jest
• time
• adventure
• play
• lark
• teasing
• mission
• high jinks
• hijinks
• horseplay
• kidding
• tomfoolery
• skylarking
• game
• whimsy
• rowdyism
• deception
• roughhousing
• maneuver
• whimsey
• feat
• shenanigan(s)
• wile
• fooling
• deed
• trickery
• caprice
• ruse
• ploy
• whim
• gambit
• hoax
• delusion
• subterfuge
• fraud
• vagary
• deceit
• fancy
• hanky-panky
• stratagem
• conceit
• sham
• hoodwinking

Examples of shine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Stover also shined a spotlight on country music star Pamela Hopkins. —Spin Contributor, SPIN, 1 Oct. 2024

The solar eclipse happening in Libra on October 2 will shine a light on your career and public image, encouraging you to pursue projects that resonate deeply with your heart above all else. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2024

Noun

The shine of the fluorescent office lights has seemingly dimmed for the youngest working generation. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2024

Rinse with cool water for last 5 seconds to seal cuticles, boost shine, and prep for frizz free styling. —Noel Cody, Essence, 24 Sep. 2024