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
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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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shines
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
The more extreme and crazier the moves are, the more the light shines and spreads.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
In San Antonio, a city known for its colorful culture, historic missions, and family-friendly attractions, there’s one destination that shines a little brighter than the rest.
—Sarah Gilliland, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026
This week’s Memoir Nation show shares a story of poverty, and shines light on a particular kind of story that’s much more prevalent than many of us would like to think.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
There are also a slew of events throughout the week including hat shaping, boot shines, the introduction of influencer John Mark’s ribbon line, cocktail parties and tailgates.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
While the sun still shines, the work goes on at the Community Assistance Center, which provides food in Atlanta's northern perimeter.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
But a visit to Alice (Crystal Fox), Anna's dementia-addled mother, shines a whole new light on the situation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Sophomore Vivienne Melo shines in net again for reigning state finalist Bishop Stang.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 12 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
In addition, the researchers observed that the object shines brightly in X-rays and emits strong radio waves.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
The more extreme and crazier the moves are, the more the light shines and spreads.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
In San Antonio, a city known for its colorful culture, historic missions, and family-friendly attractions, there’s one destination that shines a little brighter than the rest.
—Sarah Gilliland, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026
This week’s Memoir Nation show shares a story of poverty, and shines light on a particular kind of story that’s much more prevalent than many of us would like to think.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
There are also a slew of events throughout the week including hat shaping, boot shines, the introduction of influencer John Mark’s ribbon line, cocktail parties and tailgates.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
While the sun still shines, the work goes on at the Community Assistance Center, which provides food in Atlanta's northern perimeter.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
But a visit to Alice (Crystal Fox), Anna's dementia-addled mother, shines a whole new light on the situation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Sophomore Vivienne Melo shines in net again for reigning state finalist Bishop Stang.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 12 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
-
To complete the warm golden hues, the automatic movement is topped with a 22-karat gold rotor, which glows through the caseback.—
Carol Besler,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Monet’s Palazzo Ducale centers on the Venetian landmark rendered in diffused brushstrokes, with a dial that glows orange under UV light — a nod to the interplay of light and reflection in Monet’s work.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Dramatic silence after someone makes a comment that rubs them the wrong way.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
25 Dec. 2025
-
Finally, with the boom of a cannon and the roar of the crowd, each team member and coach rubs Howard’s Rock for luck before hurtling down the hill toward the home sideline.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The trick is to choose a nude shade that compliments your skin tone and apply a top coat so glossy and reflective your nails almost appear see-through.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But the trick becomes doing it over and over again, in a way that preserves arm health.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ethereally beautiful, with platinum hair, Fastvold radiates calm, a complement to Seyfried’s quicksilver curiosity, though both women have about them an inspiring clarity.—
Claire Messud,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
-
When a fire begins in a room without ventilation, the heat radiates downward, eventually engulfing all combustible items in its path, causing a flashover, per NFPA.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Use jelly polishes atop an opaque base!—
Rebecca Norris,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
At a lavish country house party, a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In the final setpiece, a Dracula versus Wolf Man fight is shunted to the background for the main event: two screaming comedians chased by a massive, groaning monster, deploying practical jokes and tricks to keep their pursuer at bay.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 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
-
At the same time, this design element slims and smooths the waist, so not only is the denim an optical illusion, but so is the sculpting panel.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Spanx’s signature 360-degree panel smooths and supports through the tummy and waist for a flattering fit, and even eliminates waistband folding—ideal for a long-haul flight.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shines. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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