glimmer 1 of 2

noun

Definition of glimmernext
1
as in hint
a very small amount a glimmer of hope that there will be snow on Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 How to pronounce glimmer (audio)
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

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

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 glimmer
Noun
Every now and then, there would be a glimmer of hope. —Sam Blum, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026 There are no easy answers in education, but there are glimmers of hope. —Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
The moon is glimmering, the veil between worlds is thin and there’s an air of mischief lingering in the shadows. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025 Around a pond near the Lincoln Memorial, some 10,000 tea lights glimmered in little paper bags. —Noam Levey, NPR, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glimmer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glimmer
  1. hint
  2. flicker
  3. gleam
  4. sprinkling
  5. shimmer
  6. shred
  7. flash
  8. splash
Noun
  • This desire to find connection in loss hints that death can often be more tangible to process than estrangement.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The first hint of celebrity Once America became an independent nation, its hatred for the crown turned into intrigue.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • This will allow Roman to hunt down exoplanets through flickers, or distortions, in starlight as planets pass in front of stars — assuming the distortions aren't due to starquakes, or some other stellar phenomena.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Your breath slows, your eyes flicker, and then suddenly, who is that hovering above you, walking you through your body shutting down?
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of flicker
Verb
  • There was, of course, one gleaming exception to the cultural stranglehold that Sinners versus One Battle After Another held last winter.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Fresh off his first-ever water fast, the whites of his eyes gleam like pearls.
    — Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • Within weeks, however, many responsibilities had been shifted to her—not only the dishes, but also the kneading of dough for bread, the cutting of onions and tomatoes, the sweeping and sprinkling of water in the courtyard each evening, and the milking of the cow.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The clams are left in their shells, and a generous sprinkling of parsley provides the finishing touch.
    — Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Verb
  • Belvedere’s reputation—old money, low-key wealth, a yacht harbor shimmering below—was baked in more than a century ago.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The perfectly symmetrical volcano is best viewed from Lake Kawaguchiko, where its reflection shimmers across the water.
    — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of shimmer
Noun
  • Dennard offered a shred of advice.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Only film-lover Bella retains a shred of optimism into adulthood, having started a new romance with a film usher.
    — Charles Lewis III, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of shred
Verb
  • The one that keeps flashing in my mind in the current call to ratchet down the incendiary rhetoric was Don Jr’s reaction to the near-fatal 2022 home invasion attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
  • To the left, drivers pay no mind to a flashing beacon announcing the school zone, said Gerardo Sandoval, a parent of a student at the south Charlotte magnet school.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of flash
Noun
  • Flavor the tangy, no-bake filling with crushed pineapple, sweetened coconut flakes, and a splash of rum.
    — Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
  • This recipe uses walnuts instead of pecans, but keeps a healthy splash of bourbon.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of splash

Browse Nearby Words

gliding
glimmer
glimmered
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Cite this Entry

“Glimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glimmer. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on glimmer

Nglish: Translation of glimmer for Spanish Speakers

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