1
as in to glow
to emit rays of light
the sun appears to shine particularly brightly in summer because that is when it's closest to the Earth
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the salesman shined his shoes every morning before leaving the house
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface
the troop inspector insisted on nothing less than a dazzling shine from every pair of shoes in the line of review
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2
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
by the shine of the full moon we could see the rabbit helping himself to our garden vegetables
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in like
positive regard for something
took quite a shine to the new neighbors
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in trick
usually shines plural
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
the shines they pulled at summer camp have become embellished with each retelling
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shine
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Keep shining light into dark financial corners, though they may be mostly seen and understood by now.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Flip your cloth to a dry side and buff for that perfect, streak-free shine.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shine
Verb
But the timing couldn’t be better, as January skies are crisp and the nights are long, allowing the cosmos to shine at its brightest.
—Noun
From Mexico to India While essential in Italian cooking, tomato paste shines in Middle Eastern, Mexican, Indian, and American comfort foods.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for shine
Verb
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But at no time was her skin not glowing through.—
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That's when the stars will really be glowing.—
Verb
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But the majority of all diamonds – 90% – are cut and polished in India, which holds a towering tariff rate of 50%.—
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Prinbara Satin Maxi Skirt This satin maxi skirt is the definition of versatile—comfortable enough for all-day wear yet polished enough to anchor a night-out look.—
Noun
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Your 4th House of Traditions gleams under today’s Full Moon, so private needs are potentially straining against public duties.—
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That smile could outshine the studio's gleam, the spark of resilience, hope and dream.—
Noun
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Witnesses report that other vehicles besides Good's were blockading unmarked immigration agent vehicles with their emergency LED lights activated.—
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Choose from four neutral colors—classic black, chocolate brown, light pink, or a creamy white—to add to your wardrobe rotation.—
Noun
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He is being held to the same standard as the likes of Derek Jeter.—
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Utopia Bedding Quilted Comforter This Utopia Bedding comforter keeps my bed looking super fluffy and cloud-like and gives my bedroom an expensive look.—
Noun
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This dish will do the trick with crispy chicken and fresh zucchini tossed in a tender linguine with a robust lemon flavor.—
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But even an invitation to hang out again, perhaps paired with a gift card to a local lunch spot, could do the trick.—
Verb
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On the other side of the country in Los Angeles, a police helicopter’s search light beamed down on protesters on Alameda Street, who were outfitted with upside-down American flags and handmade anti-ICE posters.—
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The glow Roberts got from the treatment showed, with the star beaming on the red carpet in her signature makeup, complete with a nude lip and glamorous waves courtesy of Serge Normant.—
Verb
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The constant friction of material rubbing on material wears the clothing out faster, so when there is more time, as in a regular or deep clean cycle, the garment fibers can wear down faster.—
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The events occurred in and around the lawless border of Venezuela and Colombia, where spies, smugglers and gun runners rub shoulders and distrust their own shadow.—
Cite this Entry
“Shine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shine. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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