Synonyms of sparkle

sparkle 1 of 2

verb

ˈspär-kəl 

1

as in to glow

to give off sparks

while fireworks that sparkle may be entertaining to look at, they can be highly dangerous when used indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glow
• shine
• spark
• flash
• twinkle
• scintillate
• burn
• flame
• blaze
• light (up)
• radiate
• flare (up)
• combust

2

as in to gleam

to shoot forth bursts of light

the crystal sparkled in the sunlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gleam
• shimmer
• glitter
• glint
• shine
• flash
• twinkle
• glisten
• glow
• glimmer
• lustre
• scintillate
• flame
• luster
• wink
• glance
• glister
• spangle
• coruscate
• dazzle
• beam
• winkle
• radiate
• flare
• blind
• glare
• blaze
• bedazzle
• daze
• burn

sparkle

2 of 2

noun

1

as in shimmer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in brightness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brightness
• pizzazz
• pizazz
• vivacity
• effervescence
• verve
• cheerfulness
• vivaciousness
• buoyancy
• friskiness
• spirit
• chirpiness
• jauntiness
• cheer
• ebullience
• springiness
• eagerness
• vibrancy
• exuberance
• enthusiasm
• liveliness
• vibrance
• vitality
• spiritedness
• animation
• playfulness
• briskness
• sprightliness
• lustiness
• robustness
• ebulliency
• keenness
• peppiness
• jazziness
• pertness
• impishness
• vigorousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lifelessness
• inactivity
• anemia
• laziness
• indolence
• lethargy
• weariness
• sleepiness
• dullness
• languor
• sluggishness
• apathy
• listlessness
• torpor
• dulness
• impassivity
• torpidity
• bloodlessness
• tedium
• languidness
• tediousness
• limpness
• spiritlessness
• vapidity
• vapidness
• pallidness

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb sparkle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sparkle are flash, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, and shimmer. While all these words mean "to send forth light," sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

Where would flash be a reasonable alternative to sparkle?

While the synonyms flash and sparkle are close in meaning, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When might gleam be a better fit than sparkle?

Although the words gleam and sparkle have much in common, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When is glimmer a more appropriate choice than sparkle?

The words glimmer and sparkle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

In what contexts can glint take the place of sparkle?

In some situations, the words glint and sparkle are roughly equivalent. However, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When would glisten be a good substitute for sparkle?

The meanings of glisten and sparkle largely overlap; however, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When can glitter be used instead of sparkle?

The words glitter and sparkle can be used in similar contexts, but glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When is it sensible to use shimmer instead of sparkle?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparkle, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sparkle

Verb

Lightweight but subtly high-impact, these earrings are a master class in duality—rich and monochrome from the front, sparkling on the back, and memorable at every angle. —Jill Newman, Robb Report, 12 June 2025

Sip water throughout the day instead of chugging a full glass all at once, and avoid drinking beverages that may cause more urgency to pee (all the good stuff: coffee, alcohol, sparkling water and carbonated drinks). —Sara Reardon, Flow Space, 10 June 2025

Noun

Not only does your birthday season begin on June 20, but the cosmos are bringing you an extra special sparkle. —Kyle Thomas, People.com, 15 June 2025

Fortunately, season 10 winner Nicole Scherzinger had that sparkle on and off the stage. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 1 June 2025