glitter 1 of 2

verb

ˈgli-tər How to pronounce glitter (audio)
Definition of glitternext
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light the queen's crown glittered under the glare of the TV lights

Synonyms & Similar Words

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glitter

2 of 2

noun

1
as in shimmer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gilt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb glitter contrast with its synonyms?

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

glittering diamonds

When might flash be a better fit than glitter?

The synonyms flash and glitter are sometimes interchangeable, but flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

Where would gleam be a reasonable alternative to glitter?

The words gleam and glitter 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 would glimmer be a good substitute for glitter?

In some situations, the words glimmer and glitter are roughly equivalent. However, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

In what contexts can glint take the place of glitter?

The meanings of glint and glitter largely overlap; however, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When is it sensible to use glisten instead of glitter?

Although the words glisten and glitter have much in common, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

When can shimmer be used instead of glitter?

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

a shimmering satin dress

When is sparkle a more appropriate choice than glitter?

The words sparkle and glitter 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 glitter
Verb
As for her accessories, Carey wore a bevy of glittering jewelry pieces — a pair of earrings from Etho Maria, a necklace by Harry Kotlar and a bracelet courtesy of Akillis. —Julia Teti, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025 The cuffs of the long-sleeve dress and the hemline also included silver, glittering elements for a contemporary spin on formalwear. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
And for God's sake, why is everyone wearing so much glitter??? —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025 Choco-Shenanigans Doughnut: An unglazed shell doughnut filled with white Kreme, dipped in chocolate icing and topped with green icing drizzles and gold coin glitter sprinkles. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glitter
  1. gleam
  2. shimmer
  3. gilt
  4. sparkle
  5. twinkle
  6. flash
  7. glint
  8. embroidery
Verb
  • The historic fantasy of the Great White Way as a glamorous montage of gleaming marquees, sparky backstage romances, and elegant audiences reveling in black tie was a Hollywood concoction, arguably false from the start.
    — Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Less than two weeks after Luis Enrique’s appointment, the first team took up residence at the club’s gleaming new training centre, the PSG Campus, in Poissy, 25 kilometres west of central Paris.
    — Tom Williams, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • What Inspired The Starlet Liquid Eyeshadow Collection? While the new launch includes eight shimmer shades and four mattes, the collection as a whole was ultimately influenced by the original’s viral, iridescent Fembot shade (which has crossed over to the latest launch).
    — Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Blame it on the residual shimmer of Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour.
    — Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of shimmer
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the yield on U.K. 10-year government bonds — known as gilts — were 3 basis points lower.
    — Jenni Reid,Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The yield on 10-year gilts was last over four basis points lower.
    — Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of gilt
Verb
  • Make cake batter: Beat cake mix, sparkling water, oil, eggs, 1 package of the pudding mix, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
    — Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Many women’s dress watches are adorned with sparkling details on both the face and the band, making for a truly dazzling display.
    — BestReviews, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of sparkle
Noun
  • Walking into the cozy cafe – decked out with colorful throw pillows and twinkle lights – feels like being embraced in a welcoming hug.
    — Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
  • This schism becomes her barrier to happiness, discounting and dismissing the clearly beguiling Sam, a handsome charmer with a twinkle in his eye.
    — Jason Bailey, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Definition of twinkle
Verb
  • The typically more boring corner of Wall Street has been flashing signals of stress this week that have been serious enough to demand attention from both Wall Street and President Trump.
    — Anne Marie Drummond Lee, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • With bond markets flashing warning signs while Americans sleep, investors risk missing a major shift.
    — Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of flash
Noun
  • Gyllenhaal, while sturdy enough with the language, achieves only intermittent glints of Iago’s venomous vitality.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025
  • In the dark, the screen glints in Gary/Greg’s cold, dead eyes.
    — Dan Heching, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of glint
Noun
  • The technique could also be seen via the hand-cut silk wool cascading petal embroideries that undulated down her new Octavia and Adeline gowns.
    — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • So that detail was doing a bit of embroidery on the relationship.
    — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of embroidery

Browse Nearby Words

glitches
glitter
glitterati
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glitter. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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