1
as in glows
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubs
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in trick
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shines
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The service This is where Sofitel shines—attentive, multilingual staff who anticipate your needs without hovering.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Conde Nast Traveler, a national luxury lifestyle and travel magazine, shines a spotlight on Greater Cincinnati restaurants this month.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
That harmony shines in these wings, which come from the mind of Palmira's chef de cuisine Greg DeFranco.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
His athleticism is on display as a route-runner, while his toughness shines in pass protection.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Fortunately, Eli Lilly really shines in manufacturing capacity.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
But where the Rally AI range really shines is for boardrooms, classrooms, and town halls where the scale complicates remote participation.
—New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026
Cabernet Sauvignon, however, is where Lake County truly shines.
—Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
From Mexico to India While essential in Italian cooking, tomato paste shines in Middle Eastern, Mexican, Indian, and American comfort foods.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
All draws her down; all shines, gleams, reflects; all things opaque become iridescent, then translucent.
—Jorie Graham, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
Local produce shines in traditional Chilean dishes such as cabrito al jugo a la cazuela (a goat stew); fresh ceviche; and pebre (a spicy salsa of herbs, onions, and tomatoes).
—Emma Fritz, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
This Halloween espresso martini shines when paired with rich, indulgent treats that complement its coffee and orange flavors.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
Here's where the Swift Go 16 shines.
—Mark Coppock, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2025
But on Elizabeth Street, a ray of light shines.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The road is narrow and winding, but the Civic Si’s chassis tuning shines, letting the car dance eagerly between corners.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Your helpful side shines when systems function properly, so give the relationship a clear container and let kindness fill the space between expectations.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The service This is where Sofitel shines—attentive, multilingual staff who anticipate your needs without hovering.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Conde Nast Traveler, a national luxury lifestyle and travel magazine, shines a spotlight on Greater Cincinnati restaurants this month.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
That harmony shines in these wings, which come from the mind of Palmira's chef de cuisine Greg DeFranco.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
His athleticism is on display as a route-runner, while his toughness shines in pass protection.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Fortunately, Eli Lilly really shines in manufacturing capacity.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
But where the Rally AI range really shines is for boardrooms, classrooms, and town halls where the scale complicates remote participation.
—New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026
Cabernet Sauvignon, however, is where Lake County truly shines.
—Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
That’s where the storytelling shines.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
From Mexico to India While essential in Italian cooking, tomato paste shines in Middle Eastern, Mexican, Indian, and American comfort foods.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
All draws her down; all shines, gleams, reflects; all things opaque become iridescent, then translucent.
—Jorie Graham, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
Local produce shines in traditional Chilean dishes such as cabrito al jugo a la cazuela (a goat stew); fresh ceviche; and pebre (a spicy salsa of herbs, onions, and tomatoes).
—Emma Fritz, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
This Halloween espresso martini shines when paired with rich, indulgent treats that complement its coffee and orange flavors.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
Here's where the Swift Go 16 shines.
—Mark Coppock, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2025
But on Elizabeth Street, a ray of light shines.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The road is narrow and winding, but the Civic Si’s chassis tuning shines, letting the car dance eagerly between corners.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shines
Verb
-
Each packs several pieces of shrimp in a thick, chewy wheat-starch wrapper that glows almost silvery under the light.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The bill was able to move forward after Castillo agreed to a carve-out for GloFish, a type of fish that glows due to the insertion of Green Flourescent Protein (GFP) into its DNA.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This might happen because antler rubs strip bark away, revealing lignin-rich inner wood that reemits the longer wavelengths in a way bark does not.—
Anirban Mukhopadhyay,
Scientific American,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer).—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Insights into Alzheimer’s Interestingly, the molecular tricks spiders use to spin their webs are similar to the sophisticated signaling processes found in human neurotransmitter and hormone receptors.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
One easy trick can turn those misshapen lumps with scraggly edges into gorgeous, bakery-worthy treats.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The lobby radiates the personality, warmth, and candor of a Swiss bank.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
There are no frills or fancy touches, but a sense of familiarity and open-mindedness radiates throughout.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In another, Kelly’s character polishes the massive rock on a seat cushion, then lies back to admire it.—
Rachel Garrahan,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Designed in tandem with the brand’s existing DIY gel system, Olive & June’s Builder Gel polishes (retailing for $12 each) are thicker in texture than traditional gel polish, creating a strong, supportive barrier to help grow your natural nails.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
Refinery29,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Everything about Groundhog Day sounds like a practical joke.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Release: All three episodes available on premiere day Where to watch: Netflix Stars: Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman A practical joke leads to a mysterious death at a 1925 country-house party in this Agatha Christie adaptation written by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
29 Dec. 2025
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
Verb
-
As a result, the product hardens, strengthens, and smooths brittle, peeling nails.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Sea buckthorn oil helps prevent breakage, while saffron smooths the hair cuticle to minimize frizz and fight humidity.—
Sarah Hoffmann,
Allure,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shines. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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