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glisten

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glisten contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glisten are flash, gleam, glimmer, glint, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When would flash be a good substitute for glisten?

The words flash and glisten can be used in similar contexts, but flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When could gleam be used to replace glisten?

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

lights gleamed in the valley

Where would glimmer be a reasonable alternative to glisten?

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

a distant glimmering light

When might glint be a better fit than glisten?

While in some cases nearly identical to glisten, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is it sensible to use glitter instead of glisten?

The meanings of glitter and glisten largely overlap; however, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When can shimmer be used instead of glisten?

While the synonyms shimmer and glisten are close in meaning, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

In what contexts can sparkle take the place of glisten?

The synonyms sparkle and glisten are sometimes interchangeable, but sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

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 glisten
Verb
Two decades on, the millennial glisten has given way to organic austerity; the dominant tones are now ocher and umber, turmeric and coffee. Martha Schwendener, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 As the twinkle of bulbous holiday ornaments fade away, the gilded glisten of the 2024 Golden Globes arrives, and EW has some bold predictions for winners in the major categories that could be handed out during Sunday's ceremony. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 5 Jan. 2024
Noun
In 1984, the Tax Court ruled a professional bodybuilder who used body oil to make his muscles glisten in the lights during his competitions could deduct the cost of the oil as a business expense. Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025 Nothing because for most of his impeccable run at the restaurant Providence in Los Angeles—searing the finest fish to glistening perfection, coaxing layers of depth from an uni custard—Michelin wasn’t even registering the work. David Hochman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for glisten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glisten
Verb
  • Dressed in a Versace shirt and gleaming gold chain, Shakur was still out on bond, still basking in the glow of stardom, brushing off a violent altercation with a Crip gang member inside a Sin City casino that had transpired just hours earlier after a Mike Tyson boxing match.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • That means, as Hercules, buoyant Brady is asked to present little beyond a sweet-natured, naive hunk celebrated for his gym membership and gleaming dentistry.
    David Benedict, Variety, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Now my house is awash with the LED glow of charging bulbs that are just waiting for the next power outage to do their trick.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 10 July 2025
  • The image also shows the glow of Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston to the northeast, with Torreón, Mexico, to the southwest.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Playwright Richard Greenberg was the maestro of shimmering verbal arias.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
  • For the June 27 ceremony, Kim wore a shimmering black glazed dress.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Great Parks Spark in the Dark Illuminate the night by floating on glowing boats as the water glints and gleams.
    Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • The man opened his hand, and the stadium lights reflected, at last, on a glint of silver.
    Jason Anthony, The Atlantic, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • The blue supergiant star Deneb can be found shining above the eastern horizon in the hours following sunset in July, forming the tail of the great swan represented by the constellation Cygnus.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 July 2025
  • Michigan City is a shining example of this with its 11th Street Station for the South Shore Line.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The cosmic duo will be visible for around two and a half hours before the glare of the rising sun hides the Pleiades from view.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 July 2025
  • With a full understanding about both the financial stakes and the glare of a national spotlight, Tucker has avoided the distractions that could have derailed his performance.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Director Gordon Greenberg has marshalled an excellent cast of fearless and multitalented actors for this 2-1/2-hour play-within-a-play that sparkles and surprises at every turn.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • Top off each serving with club soda or sparkling water.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Princess Anne topped the surprise style with the diamond Festoon Tiara, adding some glimmer with the sparkler she's owned since 1973.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 10 July 2025
  • Ramos has been a glimmer of hope offensively, although his defense has room for improvement.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glisten. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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