glint 1 of 2

verb

ˈglint How to pronounce glint (audio)
Definition of glintnext
1
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light the cat's eyes glinted in the moonlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to glance
to take a quick or hasty look the thief glinted around the corner to see if anyone was coming

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

glint

2 of 2

noun

as in gleam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glint contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glint are flash, gleam, glimmer, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is flash a more appropriate choice than glint?

The words flash and glint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When would gleam be a good substitute for glint?

The synonyms gleam and glint are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 glint?

The meanings of glimmer and glint largely overlap; however, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

When might glisten be a better fit than glint?

The words glisten and glint can be used in similar contexts, but glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

In what contexts can glitter take the place of glint?

While in some cases nearly identical to glint, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When is it sensible to use shimmer instead of glint?

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

a shimmering satin dress

When could sparkle be used to replace glint?

In some situations, the words sparkle and glint are roughly equivalent. However, 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 glint
Verb
This makes her performance—wry and sly and glinting differently from moment to moment—all the more exhilarating. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025 These small dazzlers glint in the light to both impress and intimidate. — Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
Think bold reds, glints of gold, and just the right amount of flair to take you from polite family dinners to full-on bar crawls. — Crystal Chen, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025 Using specialized macro lenses, the crew captured millimeter-level details, from the glint in a spider’s eye to the fine hairs on a beetle’s mandibles. — Tony Bradley, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glint
  1. gleam
  2. glance
  3. glow
  4. flash
  5. peek
  6. glare
  7. glimpse
  8. glimmer
Verb
  • The grandeur of soaring, 18-foot ceilings; gleaming mahogany finishes; velvet textures; and custom blue-and-white china work create an elegant but approachable ambiance.
    — Spencer Whaley, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Flanked by a Westworld-esque, retro-futuristic ball gown in Kummel red, the gleaming white bale feels almost humble in comparison — standing in the shadow as an artifact of quiet luxury.
    — Denni Hu, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of gleam
Verb
  • When the robber glanced away, Yuhr reached for the .45 Colt in his waistband and opened fire.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Since the lobby is sandwiched by glass walls front and back, passers-by who glance in from the sidewalk can see right through to the stage and the rows of blue theater seats.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of glance
Noun
  • Working with Anomalisa cinematographer Joe Passarelli, Johnson casts Paul’s experiences in a beguiling and ephemeral glow.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Her dewy glow didn’t just come from the tears shed after her win, but from the careful skin prep that laid the foundation.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Another shows Gordon flashing a peace sign while Swift wraps her arm around her from behind.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Royals flash leather across the diamond The Royals couldn’t quite find their offensive footing Friday.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of flash
Verb
  • The image, posted June 17 by North Carolina’s Candid Critters, shows something in the dark with hollow black eyes appearing to peek curiously into the camera.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The mule’s pointed open toe design, too, will look supremely attractive when peeking out from your wide-leg trousers or pleated maxi skirt.
    — Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of peek
Noun
  • Jacob-Jenkins has penned Naz as an asexual introvert, the kind of young man who finds solace in nature and lakes and everything that takes him far away from either his father’s infidelity or the glare of political attention.
    — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Overhangs and sun-shading louvers outside of the kitchen and family room control glare without blocking the views to Lake Michigan below.
    — Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of glare
Verb
  • Rockwell managed to imbue his speech with just the right balance of madness and pathos—Frank stares at Rick with crazy eyes that seem to have glimpsed a flicker of truth from behind the veil.
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Yet these foreign missions are largely glimpsed as surveillance on a computer screen.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of glimpse
Noun
  • When former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday and flown to the International Criminal Court at The Hague, his most prominent critic felt a glimmer of hope.
    — Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But there are glimmers of hope, thanks to entrepreneurs like Kris Engskov.
    — Alison Coleman, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of glimmer

Browse Nearby Words

glimpsing
glint
glinted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glint. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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