1
as in glows
to give off sparks
while fireworks that sparkle may be entertaining to look at, they can be highly dangerous when used indoors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in gleams
to shoot forth bursts of light
the crystal sparkled in the sunlight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparkles
Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
On the lighter end of the dark comedy spectrum, Ruthless People is an utter joy from beginning to end, a mid-80s classic that still sparkles today.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
As the crowd continues to cheer, the light from the Al Hirschfield Theatre stage door sparkles off of the phones stretched out to catch even a glimpse of the Houston hottie.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
The drawing depicts Yosemite Falls in graphite, ink, chalk and charcoal on paper that sparkles.
—Brooke Park, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
In the doc Margolyes sparkles when in company, whether that be royalty, celeb, or Director Simon.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
The hotel sparkles like a gem set in an island paradise.
—José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
The natural grass field sparkles with lush green and football lines painted onto the surface.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Yet the primary bath, where a parade of midcentury Italian and Austrian lighting sparkles against an expanse of dramatic Paonazzo marble, is somehow even dreamier.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
The lobby’s long chandelier sparkles above low-rise velvet chairs, and Frank Stella and other large-scale artworks punctuate every corner.
—Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
On the lighter end of the dark comedy spectrum, Ruthless People is an utter joy from beginning to end, a mid-80s classic that still sparkles today.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
As the crowd continues to cheer, the light from the Al Hirschfield Theatre stage door sparkles off of the phones stretched out to catch even a glimpse of the Houston hottie.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
The drawing depicts Yosemite Falls in graphite, ink, chalk and charcoal on paper that sparkles.
—Brooke Park, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
In the doc Margolyes sparkles when in company, whether that be royalty, celeb, or Director Simon.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
The hotel sparkles like a gem set in an island paradise.
—José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
The natural grass field sparkles with lush green and football lines painted onto the surface.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Yet the primary bath, where a parade of midcentury Italian and Austrian lighting sparkles against an expanse of dramatic Paonazzo marble, is somehow even dreamier.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparkles
Verb
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Even if other tracks on BASS2 don’t quite rise to the same level, the record glows with new confidence.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a Mooi wallcovering where extinct animals hide within jungle fauna in one and a freestanding Aura by Antoniolupi sink that glows translucent yellow in the other.—
Sandra Barrera,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Despite a couple of funky skips, the album is fueled by the hunger of an artist who really wants the pop life again, perking up electro-scuzz and arena rock with new wave that gleams like glitter.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County began when a foil-like party balloon hit a power line and sparks ignited surrounding vegetation, authorities say.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Rescue sparks debate in country Officials in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania said their strategy had focused on minimizing stress for the animal, rejecting public calls for the whale to be euthanized to end its suffering.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The perfectly symmetrical volcano is best viewed from Lake Kawaguchiko, where its reflection shimmers across the water.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
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No longer dangling high above audience members, one of the most famous chandeliers in theater history now shimmers just inches from audience members.—
Abraham Swee,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the evening, the whole place twinkles from the lights of a hundred lanterns and flares, which also serve to keep away mosquitoes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
But, there will be progress, if not twinkles of excitement.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Although lower in the western sky, Venus shines about seven times brighter than Jupiter, yet continues to be rather disappointing in telescopes.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
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That sensibility shines where vintage European furnishings, like a 1960s sofa by Italian designer Luciano Frigerio, sit alongside antique Japanese screens and cabinetry; or when upcycled kimono fabrics hang alongside bespoke amber-glass wall sconces made in Murano, Italy.—
Terry Ward,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rihanna flashes a smile while posing for photos at the after-party for her Fenty Beauty launch in Mumbai, India, on April 24.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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The ‘Buffett Indicator’ flashes red The S&P 500 has rebounded to a near all-time record of 7165 since the Iran war sparked a selloff.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Soft breezes ripple through the sea grapes, and sunlight glints off the aquamarine shallows that surround Bahia Honda State Park.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparkles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparkles. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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