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
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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
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
For The Washington Post As the days get shorter, the nights longer, and the air has grown so chilled that even the gentlest of breezes feels like a slap in the face, the city sparkles with twinkling lights everywhere.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Like a lot of cities, downtown Denver sparkles more brightly during the holiday season as restaurants, businesses and other venues turn on the holiday spirit.
—Jonathan Shikes, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025
Her mind sparkles with idyllic childhood memories, but her present situation hardly resembles those happier times.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 14 Nov. 2025
As far as design goes, the collection — which retails from $75 to $650 — sparkles with Kendra Scott's popular silhouettes, like the Elisa pendant, but with a sprinkle of that stylish Dolly DNA.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
Head to Grote Markt, where the Renaissance Town Hall sparkles with lights and the historic homes that fringe the square are illuminated after dark.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 27 Oct. 2025
On the Riviera, nothing sparkles quite like a Hitchcock blonde.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
But even outside festival season, the city sparkles.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Here, Mock shares the mistakes that are standing between you and a bathroom that truly sparkles.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
For The Washington Post As the days get shorter, the nights longer, and the air has grown so chilled that even the gentlest of breezes feels like a slap in the face, the city sparkles with twinkling lights everywhere.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Like a lot of cities, downtown Denver sparkles more brightly during the holiday season as restaurants, businesses and other venues turn on the holiday spirit.
—Jonathan Shikes, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025
Her mind sparkles with idyllic childhood memories, but her present situation hardly resembles those happier times.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 14 Nov. 2025
As far as design goes, the collection — which retails from $75 to $650 — sparkles with Kendra Scott's popular silhouettes, like the Elisa pendant, but with a sprinkle of that stylish Dolly DNA.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
Head to Grote Markt, where the Renaissance Town Hall sparkles with lights and the historic homes that fringe the square are illuminated after dark.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 27 Oct. 2025
On the Riviera, nothing sparkles quite like a Hitchcock blonde.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
But even outside festival season, the city sparkles.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparkles
Verb
-
On dark nights, the rim of the crater glows orange.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Inside, light from shaded lamps and sconces glows amber-soft.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 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
-
While details of Gatwa’s character are not yet known, Erivo’s Jayne is described as a trailblazing fairy whose defiant streak sparks a rebellion.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Quinten Post scored 14 points and Pat Spencer put in 10 with four assists as fellow sparks off the bench.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The evening fades into dawn as Fifth Avenue shimmers in the early light, while a guest strolls home to the faint echo of laughter.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
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Each glass shimmers with a bit of iridescence for a wintry look.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Downtown, the Plaza twinkles with thousands of string lights.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Dec. 2025
-
This Lowcountry gem nestled on Port Royal Island is magical year-round, but at Christmas, Beaufort’s glow twinkles even brighter.—
Stephanie Hunt,
Southern Living,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the classroom, Karter shines brightest in science and enjoys hands-on experiments.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Nov. 2025
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Countries also need to work on better connecting intermittent renewables — those which work only when the sun shines or the wind blows — with batteries that can store their energy.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Less than a minute into the video, as the singer sits by herself in the middle of the desert, the camera suddenly flashes to Blue, who is wearing a dress nearly identical to her mom's gown.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Burnett pauses, considers the question, and then flashes a mischievous grin.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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 11 Jan. 2026.
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