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sparkling 1 of 2

adjective

1
as in bubbly

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2
as in gleaming

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Dissimilar Words
3
as in merry

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Dissimilar Words

sparkling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sparkle
1
as in glowing
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
2
as in glittering
to shoot forth bursts of light the crystal sparkled in the sunlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 sparkling
Adjective
Venture through the steep, winding lanes lined with high-end boutiques and restaurants while taking in panoramic views of the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea below. — Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026 Laced with Horgan’s signature combination of unsparing honesty and sparkling wit, Youth is a fleet and frisky reminder that growing into yourself is a lifelong endeavor. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026 The winery has also received awards and recognition, including for its sparkling wines. — Melissa May, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 The Bison, to be sure, have been elite, and they are rightly celebrated as football heroes in Fargo as a sparkling example of sustained success. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026 And yet, Love Story’s Sarah Pidgeon represented the Walt Disney company well in her own LBD, while Shrinking’s Jessica Williams and comedian Leslie Jones kept Apple TV+ in the game in their own sparkling red looks. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2026 Week 1 does not a season make, and a sparkling debut doesn’t always lead to a crown (looking at you, 2025 Joe Burrow and the royal scourge that is turf toe). — Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 National Beverage — The parent company of La Croix sparkling water fell more than 5% after reporting fiscal first-quarter results. — Darla Mercado, Cfp®,ananya Chetia, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026 The star, who is an ambassador for the jewelry brand, also wore a sparkling Bulgari necklace with a deep purple gemstone. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
To restore its sparkling shine, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to polish the pan and give it a like-new shine. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Sep. 2026 Bar Keeper’s Friend is a favorite product for getting that sink looking sparkling clean again and the pair also likes to use it on stoves, ovens, and microwaves. — Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026 The column dress shimmers, thanks to the embellished sparkling rhinestones that can be found all throughout. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 Parton’s message was classic Dolly, with the singer sitting next to a bouquet of fresh flowers and dressed in a golden top with fringe and sparkling accents, her signature upbeat attitude fully on display. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026 The menu features several matcha drinks, including an elderflower matcha tonic, matcha cloud, sparkling matcha lemonade and a blackberry yuzu matcha milk. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 The skyline greets me at The Langham Chicago’s exclusive 12th-floor club lounge, where the guests are as sparkling as the free-flowing champagne. — Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026 Encased in a sophisticated bottle that calls to mind Tommy Hilfiger fashion, this new scent features a juicy top note of sparkling lychee before settling into a warmer depth of magnolia blossom and a base of vanilla blue. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 Hargitay and Amaya both wore sparkling red Monse gowns, adorned with sequins and feathers. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparkling
  1. bubbly
  2. gleaming
  3. merry
  4. glowing
  5. glittering
  6. effervescent
  7. radiant
  8. scintillating
Adjective
  • Johnson, who a near decade ago was a bubbly ingenue on the brink of superstardom, has since developed a reputation for a certain cool-girl deadpan opacity, a kind of mischievous remove during press appearances.
    — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Bake until filling is bubbly and topping is golden, about 45 minutes.
    — Maddy Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of bubbly
Adjective
  • Under his meticulous care, the gleaming red sports car has been souped up to generate 400-horsepower turbo performance, but retains much of the original features and feel.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The trailer features stunning images of the massive gleaming white cube that was the centerpiece of the staging and Instagram-worthy shots of the pryo and special effects that made the tour a must-see for fans.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Dec. 2025
Definition of gleaming
Adjective
  • This is a place where adults make the pilgrimage to the legendary Pinto Ron and Pizza Pete tailgate spot in the Hammer Lot where Pinto Ron's team of merry pranksters pour shots of liquor into a bowling ball finger hole.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The hotel itself is staffed by a small but merry cadre of Lost Boys whose endearing mix of irreverence and can-doism gives the hotel its cool, devil-may-care personality.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of merry
Verb
  • And, as the popularity of K-beauty has spread, more and more travelers are flocking to South Korea in hope of achieving the glassy, glowing skin Instagram feeds are replete with.
    — Anna Haines, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Pastel Colonial buildings lined the streets, their facades glowing in the afternoon sun, while the plazas hummed with life.
    — Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • The stage for Sheeran’s tour has a glittering circular screen set into its center, twinkling like a ring light.
    — Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Growing older, Christian inherited his father’s mannerisms and infectious energy and often wears a glittering Bad Boy chain around his neck, firmly tying himself to his father’s shadow.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of glittering
Adjective
  • And in probably the most effervescent victory of the meet, Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi danced, clapped and leaped his way to victory in the high jump.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026
  • The effervescent fizz of Ocean’s Eleven came as a bit of a surprise at the time, though Soderbergh has since established himself as one of the most versatile filmmakers in modern movie history.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of effervescent
Adjective
  • Hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps the delicate undereye area, caffeine visibly reduces puffiness, and soothing aloe leaf and antioxidant-rich green tea keep skin looking calm, smooth, and radiant.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Kate Hudson, Charlize Theron, and Hannah Waddingham have all used glow-boosting masks and wands, and their radiant skin definitely caught our attention.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of radiant
Adjective
  • But the addition of the undergarment element does take the look to a new level, adding a scintillating sensuality that’s at once playful and powerful.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Over and over, starry contests and scintillating play unfolded in front of scant crowds.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of scintillating

Browse Nearby Words

sparkles
sparkling
sparkly
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Cite this Entry

“Sparkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparkling. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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