GLITTER Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

glitter 1 of 2

verb

ˈgli-tər

Definition of glitter

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

as in shimmer

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in gilt

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Where real-life terrors might be decked in the glittering garb of fairy tale, and thus fooled, challenged and ultimately overcome. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 As well as the sculptures, there’s an extensive display of the artist’s one-of-a-kind, glittering jewelry pieces. — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Noun

On the sidelines, crowds of people cheered them on, waving rainbow flags with glitter on their faces. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026 This will be a treat for any kiddos who love glitter and bows. — Anna Halkidis, Parents, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for glitter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glitter

Verb

The Soft Symmetry is crafted in both a smooth calf leather, with a gleaming gold lock closure, and a vintage leather, with accompanying matte silver hardware that gives it an intentionally patinaed look and slouchy feel.

— Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
Mermaidcore The scales of a mermaid tail have nothing on these gleaming glitter flake nails.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of gleam

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

Noun

Scaffolding hid the Statue of the Republic’s gilt torso from sight.

— Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Over the past month, however, the benchmark 10-year gilt yield has risen by around 19 basis points, while the longer-term 30-year gilt yield has added around 21 basis points, with both seeing choppy trade in the interim.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Definition of gilt

Verb

All that is chilly enough, except the okroshka at Elena’s is also served in a sparkling bowl made of solid ice.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
And when the sun is shining, that also means the water’s sparkling, sailboats are bobbing, and seagulls are cawing.

— Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparkle

Noun

The ever-changing sights and sounds, plus the magical twinkle at night, are all part of what makes this home, inside and out.

— Kelly Ryan Kegans, Midwest Living, 16 Aug. 2026
And Georges delivers—come for the smart, international menu and panoramic views over Paris (especially appealing at night, when the Eiffel Tower twinkles with light).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of twinkle

Noun

The collection was heavy on embellishments, with embroidery, crystals, bows, pearls and sequins decorating miniskirts, capri pants, jackets and more.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Wedding gowns are couture pieces that require many hours to craft thanks to their intricate layers, beading, embroidery, and bodice construction.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of embroidery

Verb

More recently, the tiny Delica Mini has expanded the Delica's dominion, flashing some adventure and camping chops of its own.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
Schools of ballyhoo and scaled sardines flash over the sand, while blue tangs, doctorfish, sergeant majors, black durgons, and the endemic Rocas gregory move among the rocks.

— Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of flash

Noun

Steve Gleason, co-founder of Crowfoot Range and a member of the Avimor neighborhood watch, was the first to point out the glint of a pickup truck on the far hill.

— Noah Daly August 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 Aug. 2026
Played with tricksy force and a glint of anger in her eyes by Samantha Morton, Circe is at the center of the greatest scene in The Odyssey, one that foregrounds the grandeur and uncanny qualities of myth.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 July 2026

Definition of glint

Browse Nearby Words

glitches

glitter

glitterati

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“Glitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glitter. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of glitter

verb

noun

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