GLIMMER Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'glimmer' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glimmer are flash , gleam , glint , glisten , glitter , shimmer , and sparkle . While all these words mean "to send forth light," glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam. // a distant glimmering light

Q: Where would 'flash' be a reasonable alternative to 'glimmer'?

In some situations, the words flash and glimmer are roughly equivalent. However, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light. // lightning flashed

Q: When could 'gleam' be used to replace 'glimmer'?

The words gleam and glimmer can be used in similar contexts, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background. // lights gleamed in the valley

Q: When is it sensible to use 'glint' instead of 'glimmer'?

The synonyms glint and glimmer are sometimes interchangeable, but glint implies a cold glancing light. // glinting steel

Q: In what contexts can 'glisten' take the place of 'glimmer'?

The meanings of glisten and glimmer largely overlap; however, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface. // glistening wet sidewalk

Q: When is 'glitter' a more appropriate choice than 'glimmer'?

While the synonyms glitter and glimmer are close in meaning, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming. // glittering diamonds

Q: When would 'shimmer' be a good substitute for 'glimmer'?

Although the words shimmer and glimmer have much in common, shimmer means shining with a wavering light. // a shimmering satin dress

Q: When can 'sparkle' be used instead of 'glimmer'?

The words sparkle and glimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light. // the sparkling waters

glimmer 1 of 2

noun

Definition of glimmer next

as in hint

a very small amount a glimmer of hope that there will be snow on Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flicker

an almost imperceptible sign of something most of the students showed not even a glimmer of interest in what I had to say

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

glimmer

2 of 2

verb

ˈgli-mər

as in to gleam

to shoot forth bursts of light the waters of the rippling brook glimmered in the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glimmer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glimmer are flash, gleam, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

Where would flash be a reasonable alternative to glimmer?

In some situations, the words flash and glimmer are roughly equivalent. However, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When could gleam be used to replace glimmer?

The words gleam and glimmer can be used in similar contexts, but gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When is it sensible to use glint instead of glimmer?

The synonyms glint and glimmer are sometimes interchangeable, but glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

In what contexts can glisten take the place of glimmer?

The meanings of glisten and glimmer largely overlap; however, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When is glitter a more appropriate choice than glimmer?

While the synonyms glitter and glimmer are close in meaning, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When would shimmer be a good substitute for glimmer?

Although the words shimmer and glimmer have much in common, shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When can sparkle be used instead of glimmer?

The words sparkle and glimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

Examples 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 glimmer

Noun

The glimmer dims when Terry later injures herself on stage. —

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2024 In the glimmer and darkfalling afterglow, my small exuberances hive in me like worms in a cadaver. —

Forrest Gander, The New York Review of Books, 12 Sep. 2024

Verb

Alfred applied bleach in a halo shape around the crown (under the top layer of my hair) as well as on the underside so that the moonlit segments would glimmer underneath and shine through my darker strands. —

Maisie Bovingdon, refinery29.com, 10 Sep. 2024 The collaboration launches with a new shade of the viral Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment in a mauve-pink tint, Strawberry Sorbet flavor, developed with a glimmering finish. —

Alfredo Mineo, WWD, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glimmer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer

Noun

Born on TikTok, this is an ideal choice for fall/winter thanks to its cool undertones; deep berry hues offer a hint of blue that adds a head-turning pop to any autumnal beauty look.

Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
The decision will be followed by comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, which could provide hints about the Fed’s expectations for the economy and interest rates for the coming months.

Jesse Pound,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024