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
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2026
Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, this is a tale of love, friendship, and identity.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
Take our gorgeous Strawberry Cheesecake, for instance, which shines as a centerpiece at any spring party or Easter celebration.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Reading this history shines a light on the difference between exile and passing.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Optical performance is where this lens truly shines.
—Tantse Walter, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The sun shines brighter over Madison Square Garden these days, especially during the playoffs, when long-dormant expectation creeps back in.
—Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026
But the seafood menu truly shines during dinner, with six different oyster varieties sourced from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, and Canada.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
The spring equinox occurs when the sun shines directly on the Earth's equator.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Feb. 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
The domed crystal here is a callback to vintage dive watches with luminescent Radiomir dials made for the Italian Navy; the PAM01729 offers up a bit of glow, too, with beige Super-LumiNova that shines green in the dark.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2026
Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, this is a tale of love, friendship, and identity.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
Take our gorgeous Strawberry Cheesecake, for instance, which shines as a centerpiece at any spring party or Easter celebration.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Reading this history shines a light on the difference between exile and passing.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Optical performance is where this lens truly shines.
—Tantse Walter, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The sun shines brighter over Madison Square Garden these days, especially during the playoffs, when long-dormant expectation creeps back in.
—Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026
But the seafood menu truly shines during dinner, with six different oyster varieties sourced from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, and Canada.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
The spring equinox occurs when the sun shines directly on the Earth's equator.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Feb. 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
-
In San Francisco, Chinatown glows with lanterns, pop‑up performances, and bustling markets as the city builds toward its iconic Chinese New Year Parade on March 7 — one of the largest outside Asia.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Your 5th House of Creativity glows with a Solar Eclipse, inviting playful expression and heartfelt risk that helps love and artistry feel alive again.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 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
-
Wang Xindi won his first Olympic gold earlier today after landing a trick with five twists in the aerial event.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
-
From selecting the perfect bag, to using versatile pouches, and choosing your accessories methodically, these are my tips and tricks for personal item packing.—
Taylor Fox,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The bright and sweet Buckaroo radiates sincerity.—
David Glickman,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The lobby radiates the personality, warmth, and candor of a Swiss bank.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
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
-
The jeans have slimming panels with a crisscross design that shape and support curves, while the high front waist smooths the tummy area.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
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Santorini Grape Velvet Skin Drink is a luxurious face oil that blurs imperfections, smooths texture and replenishes skin with hydration.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shines. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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