as in polished
having a shiny surface or finish
a glistening marble table top
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in gleaming
to shoot forth bursts of light
this seemingly dull opal really glistens in full light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of glistening
Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Everton’s glistening new stadium may come with a global beer sponsor, but their first game of the New Year there was utterly sobering.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
For 11 days starting in late January, downtown fills with ice and snow sculptures, lively parades, and some of the region’s most skilled carvers chiseling massive blocks into glistening scenes.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Midwest Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Kardashian then shared a view that captured the fireplace, as well as two glistening Christmas trees.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
In the summer, its population swells as Italians flock to the island seeking sun and the chance to swim in the glistening azure sea and soak in the thermal hot springs.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025
Stowe, Vermont With a frosting setting in the Green Mountains, Stowe is one of New England’s most iconic Christmas towns with its old church steeples, glistening evergreens, and historic village center lit up for the holidays.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 10 Dec. 2025
As quince cooks, its flesh turns from wan white to a rich, glistening garnet.
—Benjamin Kemper, Saveur, 26 Nov. 2025
The cat-eye effect and glistening decals create the illusion of frost, while the fiery tips add warmth.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 24 Nov. 2025
Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 20 Dec. 2025
Social-media users can’t get enough of Olive Jean’s reaction to the Christmas tree glistening in her forever home.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Correcting cyberpunk’s fraught history with Asian cities Cyberpunk stories are often set in neon-glistening cities with futuristic technology.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The bread was chewy and crispy at once, glistening with butter.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Fast forward to September 21 this year, and Jefferson-Wooden’s smile was still beaming, but the medal around her neck was glistening brighter than ever before.
—Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Meg lived in a somewhat offbeat district, but the tall shabby houses, some of them painted in garish colours, were soon left behind and gave place to discreetly glistening cream or white facades behind one of which Leonora lived.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Their dining room now packed and wind in their sails, the couple is digging deeper into the cooking of Tussanaprasit’s native Chiang Mai, serving dishes like khao khan jin, a glistening mixture of rice, salty pork bits, and pork blood steamed in banana leaves.
—Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The glistening, glowy finish is what enhances your makeup’s longevity and keeps it locked in place for hours.
—Verb
In the lobby proudly stands an 18-foot tree glistening with 5,100 lights.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for glistening
Adjective
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The prose looks polished, charts look clean, and a single percentage point buried in the model quietly pushes the decision in a different direction.—
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Like Coleman, Boston’s size (6-4, 210) and physicality enable him to win more than his fair share of jump balls, but the Huskie wideout is also a polished route-runner, especially on slants and comebacks.—
Verb
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Santostock Modern Gold Wall Sconces, Set of 2 With their gleaming hardware and cylindrical glass shades, these robust yet elegant sconces will transform your living space.—
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All rooms feel spacious and sleek, thanks to 12-foot ceilings, six-foot-high windows, custom lighting and furnishings, and gleaming wood finishes.—
Adjective
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Grande wore a glossy pink shade on her lips, sculpted cheeks with subtle shimmer, and long lashes.—
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Sylist Renato Campora used the continuous Marcel wave technique, tucking under her ends and creating a glossy, frozen finish.—
Verb
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At first glance, Glass Mountain looks out of place—an irregular, pale, 15-foot mound glinting in the sunlight, as if someone dumped a pile of shiny shards in the middle of the desert.—
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And those iconic scenes of Brad Pitt casting his fishing line glinting in the sun?—
Adjective
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The clean double-breasted buttons instantly add elegance to your airport outfit, especially when paired with a matching Amazon Essentials Turtleneck and sleek black Libin Wide-leg Dress Pants to keep you warm and comfortable from takeoff to arrival.—
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Take a cue from Nicole Kidman and swap bulky trainers for a sleeker option that styles effortlessly from the plane to wherever the day takes you.—
Verb
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Cap off your evening back at the hotel with a nightcap by the pool surrounded by shimmering city lights.—
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The black dress kept to the signature, body-hugging silhouette Jenner has come to love, with shimmering black sequin mesh that looked almost snake-like, and sheer embroidered side-paneling, delicate straps criss-crossing over the low back.—
Adjective
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Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
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From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Verb
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Its three glittering diamonds had a powerful effect on Sophie Rhys-Jones—rendering her speechless.—
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The skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park in Chicago is an artificial trail that snakes a quarter-mile around towering climbing walls, with glittering skyscrapers for a backdrop.—
Cite this Entry
“Glistening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glistening. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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