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 next

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

Relevance

glitter

2 of 2

noun

as in shimmer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

The sidewalks bustle with people heading in all different directions, whether for celebratory dinners, drinks in glittering bars, or antiques shops for gifts. —

Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024 The Cappella Palatina inside the Palazzo dei Normanni is a resplendent example of architecture that glitters with intricate gold Byzantine mosaics. —

Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2024

Noun

The cardboard Christmas houses, decorated with glitter, twigs, and other items, are said to have originated with the Moravians who once created decorative Christmas villages built around Christmas trees, generally as an extension of a nativity. —

Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2024 All-Nighter setting spray: $36 (Urban Decay) Take your party glitter game to the next level with Urban Decay's All-Nighter waterproof makeup setting spray. —

Nora Colomer, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glitter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glitter

Verb

Thousands of such boards gleam flatly under the glaring LED ceiling lights.

Vince Beiser, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024
Calvin Klein Double-Breasted Rain Jacket with Hood Look chic and pulled together even on rainy or snowy days with this double-breasted trench, which features a double-breasted silhouette with gleaming snaps, peaked lapels, deep angled pockets, and a convenient hood.

Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024