1
as in glows
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
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2
as in gleams
to shoot forth bursts of light
the crystal sparkled in the sunlight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparkles
Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
On this campus tour, Kirkland showed off the three-year-old football stadium that sparkles, and the new baseball and softball diamonds nearby.
—Joe Davidson
may 7, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
The lobby’s long chandelier sparkles above low-rise velvet chairs, and Frank Stella and other large-scale artworks punctuate every corner.
—Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
On the lighter end of the dark comedy spectrum, Ruthless People is an utter joy from beginning to end, a mid-80s classic that still sparkles today.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
As the crowd continues to cheer, the light from the Al Hirschfield Theatre stage door sparkles off of the phones stretched out to catch even a glimpse of the Houston hottie.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
The drawing depicts Yosemite Falls in graphite, ink, chalk and charcoal on paper that sparkles.
—Brooke Park, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
In the doc Margolyes sparkles when in company, whether that be royalty, celeb, or Director Simon.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
The hotel sparkles like a gem set in an island paradise.
—José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
Her silver nail polish—reminiscent of the shade worn by Lou Reed (from one New York legend to another) in footage shown during Todd Haynes’s documentary The Velvet Underground—sparkles as Gaga pounds the keys of her piano throughout the film.
—Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
On this campus tour, Kirkland showed off the three-year-old football stadium that sparkles, and the new baseball and softball diamonds nearby.
—Joe Davidson
may 7, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
The lobby’s long chandelier sparkles above low-rise velvet chairs, and Frank Stella and other large-scale artworks punctuate every corner.
—Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
On the lighter end of the dark comedy spectrum, Ruthless People is an utter joy from beginning to end, a mid-80s classic that still sparkles today.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
As the crowd continues to cheer, the light from the Al Hirschfield Theatre stage door sparkles off of the phones stretched out to catch even a glimpse of the Houston hottie.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
The drawing depicts Yosemite Falls in graphite, ink, chalk and charcoal on paper that sparkles.
—Brooke Park, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
In the doc Margolyes sparkles when in company, whether that be royalty, celeb, or Director Simon.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
The hotel sparkles like a gem set in an island paradise.
—José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparkles
Verb
-
Below, sits Altair, while Deneb glows to the left, representing the tail of the great swan in the constellation Cygnus.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
-
It can be used as a nightlight, glows in seven colors and features a selection of soothing soundscapes.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
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
-
Iran denies ever withdrawing from the Venice Biennale, and the Somalia Pavilion sparks controversy.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
13 May 2026
-
Regardless of the verdict, the initiative sparks broader efforts like planting wildflowers and reducing pesticide use.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Each new hill brings a slightly different and powerful view of Martinez and its petroleum refinery infrastructure; farther in the horizon, like a mirage of an ivory city, shimmers a wind-turbine farm.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
The perfectly symmetrical volcano is best viewed from Lake Kawaguchiko, where its reflection shimmers across the water.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the evening, the whole place twinkles from the lights of a hundred lanterns and flares, which also serve to keep away mosquitoes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
But, there will be progress, if not twinkles of excitement.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jennifer Lopez shimmers and shines in a pale pink gown at the 2026 Netflix Upfront presentation in New York City on May 13.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
After the bell, the spotlight shines on Nvidia.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The device turns its head from side to side, flashes red LED eyes, while its tail is equipped with blue LEDs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Janet Jackson flashes a smile onstage as her 1989 album Rhythm Nation 1814 is inducted at the 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles on May 8.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
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That, from time to time, during his endless task, the sun glints across the rock’s face in a way that reminds him that there were good times, or at least different times.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Soft breezes ripple through the sea grapes, and sunlight glints off the aquamarine shallows that surround Bahia Honda State Park.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparkles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparkles. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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