GLINT Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

glint 1 of 2

verb

ˈglint

Definition of glint

as in to gleam

to shoot forth bursts of light the cat's eyes glinted in the moonlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

In their gowns and bowties, guests giddily slurp mounds of glinting caviar off the back of their hand. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 June 2026 No one wanted to stand behind the commanding warriors, draped in blankets and furs, brass hoops in their earlobes, medals and wampum on their strong chests, silver armbands glinting in the light. — Literary Hub, 26 May 2026

Noun

They were joined by a growing number of international rescue teams who began to climb through the rubble, offering a small glint of hope to anguished families. — Regina Cano Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026 They were joined by a growing number of international rescue teams who began to climb through the ruins, offering a glint of hope to anguished families. — Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for glint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glint

Verb

Bally’s intends to fulfill its obligations under the host agreement, according to sources, including the buildout of the gleaming 34-story hotel, which has already risen up to full height along the Chicago River at the future casino site.

— Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Gritting her teeth in the final few hundred meters, the Polish rider dug deep and with the sun gleaming behind her, raised her arms after crossing the line.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of gleam

Verb

Mangione entered the room from a holding area wearing a gray suit and glanced around before taking his seat next to his attorneys, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo and Jacob Kaplan.

— Adam Reiss, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Even her supporters glance askance at one another during her rambling entreaties.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of glance

Noun

While a thin sliver will remain illuminated by direct sunlight, most of the lunar surface will appear dramatically darkened with a subtle reddish-orange glow — reminiscent of a total lunar eclipse seen across North America on March 3.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
There, all arms of the Walt Disney Company — the multiple studios, television, parks, streaming, gaming, music, and more — simultaneously bask in the glow of nostalgia and take the time to tease their future.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of glow

Noun

This stellar companion is apparently a luminous star that has three times the mass of the sun but is so close to the far brighter supergiant that its light had been hidden in the glare all this time.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
Even beneath the stark, soulless glare of studio lights, the Valen is instantly arresting.

— Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of glare

Verb

The next total eclipse in the US The United States will next glimpse a total solar eclipse on March 30, 2033, and even then the Russia-centric path includes only Alaska, with totality lasting 2 minutes and 37 seconds.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
The Thunderbirds are the main attraction but some of the young civil air cadets from Indiana and Illinois were anxious to glimpse the new F-22 Raptor, a stealth jet that can remain invisible on radar.

— Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of glimpse

Noun

Its cowl neckline and adjustable strap features feel considerate and flattering, draping me in a nice, summery shimmer that shines against a cute shoe (TK see below).

— Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
The cream has a tropical scent of vanilla and pistachio and even comes with a bit of shimmer in it.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of shimmer

Browse Nearby Words

glimpsing

glint

glinted

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“Glint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glint. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of glint

verb

noun

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