sparkle 1 of 2

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

Relevance
2

sparkle

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sparkle
Verb
The slow-motion decay of JaNa’s sparkle at the hands of Kenny the demon? Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025 There’s a timeless sparkle to Pismo Beach that never fades. Pismo Beach Conference, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
High walls ran between the dusty road and the hillside, and on the other side the lake sparkled and lapped. Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025 Guests—including the actor Damian Lewis, the fashion icon Daphne Guinness, and the novelist Ben Okri—spilled out into a courtyard garden, drinking wine or sparkling water that was strewn with flower petals. Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sparkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparkle
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the headphones, meant to unify the audience in a shared soundscape, instead isolate viewers into their glowing silos, which feels like an ironic choice for a show supposedly about communal grief.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • As the glowing waning gibbous moon rose over center field, the Red Sox went quietly into the night one last time in the bottom of the ninth.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Marble floors gleamed beneath towering columns, and the chandeliers cast a warm, golden light.
    Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Megan Moroney, Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow brought the shine to their section in their gleaming ensembles.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The artistry hinged on soft black liner framing the eyes, a pop of copper shimmer on the lids, and skin that radiated health.
    Essence, Essence, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The Gold Rush is the final new addition and features bourbon with honey and gold shimmer for a stylish appearance.
    Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The punchy liquid stays put and works nicely as underpaint for a glow beneath base makeup, or for stand-alone brightness in multidimensional shades like Starlite (rose gold with shimmer) and Good Vibes (deep fuchsia with pearlescent particles).
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Both of the Pop projectors are rated to deliver 700 lumens of brightness, but the EF62 sports a 4K resolution while the EF61 is full HD.
    John Archer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Posing next to Colman Domingo and Salma Hayek Pinault (who wore an elegant black Balenciaga suit dress), Moore’s glitzy look shone.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Buildcrafting here will be a blast, and this is where Borderlands has always shined.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nine years later, Bolt called time on a glittering career.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the Enchanted glittered with edible pink shimmer dust, and bursting with fruity, botanical flavors – Grey Goose with watermelon basil essences, vermouth and basil.
    John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Glinda Good Berry, on the other hand, is sweet without much of a distinctive flavor, though there’s maybe a twinkle of strawberry in the aftertaste.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The views up high are incomparable at night, when lights in the surrounding hills twinkle like fireflies.
    Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Bake up a classic that has a little more pizazz than chocolate chip cookies with these soft and chewy Chocolate Chip Blondies.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
  • The sauce is like a gravy with a little more pizzazz, and the cucumber goes really well.
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sparkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparkle. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sparkle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!