as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
the door opened a crack and let in a gleam of light from the hallway
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to glint
to shoot forth bursts of light
fine china and stemware gleaming in the candlelight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gleam
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2025
But also required is investment in new technologies that today may be only a gleam in some researcher’s eye.
—Daniel Yergin, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Essence, 10 Apr. 2025
The publication’s mascot, Eustace Tilley, is, after all, defined by accessories: his gleaming top hat, crisp white gloves, and dandyish monocle are all totems of both persnickety good taste and the febrile effort behind chasing it.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gleam
Noun
Highland wasn’t even a gleam in anybody’s eye when Johnson ruled the city.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2025
But also required is investment in new technologies that today may be only a gleam in some researcher’s eye.
—Daniel Yergin, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
Skinny hoop earrings dangle from her ears, and a delicate watch gleams on her wrist.
—Essence, 10 Apr. 2025
The publication’s mascot, Eustace Tilley, is, after all, defined by accessories: his gleaming top hat, crisp white gloves, and dandyish monocle are all totems of both persnickety good taste and the febrile effort behind chasing it.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gleam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleam
Noun
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Shot in Galicia, a landscape of rocky coasts and salty-blue air, this loosely biographical third feature from Catalan filmmaker Carla Simón, part of the Cannes competition slate, has a wistful, earthy glow.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
23 May 2025
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Brick walls and exposed piping contrast with wooden furniture, white couches and floor cushions and the warm glow of Noguchi lampshades.—
Lina Abascal,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Photo: Courtesy New Ravenna Easily transfixed by sunlight glinting off gold jewelry?—
Kathryn O'Shea-Evans,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2025
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Sunlight glints off what looks like fishing wire strewn through the trees and bushes.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Restoring the luster Nordstrom department stores once had, and getting out from under the glare of Wall Street, is the basis for Nordstrom going private.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
16 May 2025
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The snappers are standing in a group with their camera lenses pointed towards the back row of the tiny seated area, prompting several dozen people to turn around and glare in the same direction.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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The new Steelers defensive lineman flashes his quick, strong hands and fluid hips, defeating the guard with a swim move.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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Warning signs are flashing for our economy: Inflation is rising and 82% of Americans are already worried about a potential recession.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Noun
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These were the words of an elderly Creole woman from New Orleans, who spoke to me recently in light of the elevation of Robert Prevost to office of the Holy See.—
Darryl Barthé,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
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These half-sized classic window coverings let in ample light for prep work, while adding just enough privacy and charm.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2025
Verb
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The shimmering elements of Fanning’s gown cascaded down the design of her dress.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
22 May 2025
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Here, Gerdes created an airy, cohesive container with delicate, shimmering flowers of alyssum and ‘Glitz’ euphorbia, pops of pale purple ‘Starfish’ petunia blooms, soft mounds of velvety artemisia, and trailing silver tendrils of dichondra.—
Mike Irvine,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The former just sparkled on the cover of Sports Illustrated in a glittering green two-piece set that looks like this one from Amazon.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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Instead, try drinking sparkling water and eating more fish and whole grains.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2025
Verb
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As evening sets in, grab a front-row seat by the water to catch the sunset, then cozy up under twinkling café lights with a s’mores kit in hand, perfect for roasting around the resort’s firepit.—
Angela Caraway-Carlton,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
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Note that this is why planets typically don’t twinkle.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gleam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleam. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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