1
as in glows
to emit rays of light
the sun appears to shine particularly brightly in summer because that is when it's closest to the Earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubs
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the salesman shined his shoes every morning before leaving the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in trick
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 shines
The Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
Countries also need to work on better connecting intermittent renewables — those which work only when the sun shines or the wind blows — with batteries that can store their energy.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The glittering gastro gem shines brightly with resourceful chefs embracing a diverse array of culinary traditions, often eschewing allegiance to strictly Southern cooking.
—Nevin Martell, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
More importantly, her story shines a light on domestic violence through her relationship with her husband and trainer, Jim Martin.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Its everyday comfort is where this bra shines.
—Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 7 Nov. 2025
Fairbanks, Alaska Despite the subzero temps (winter temperatures can dip to -20 degrees Fahrenheit), the darkest months of the year are when Fairbanks shines, literally.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
But don’t worry—the quiet winter is actually when São Paulo shines.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Searching for ‘proof’ when hanging by a wish until the sun shines again.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
All draws her down; all shines, gleams, reflects; all things opaque become iridescent, then translucent.
—Jorie Graham, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
Local produce shines in traditional Chilean dishes such as cabrito al jugo a la cazuela (a goat stew); fresh ceviche; and pebre (a spicy salsa of herbs, onions, and tomatoes).
—Emma Fritz, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
This Halloween espresso martini shines when paired with rich, indulgent treats that complement its coffee and orange flavors.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
Here's where the Swift Go 16 shines.
—Mark Coppock, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2025
But on Elizabeth Street, a ray of light shines.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The road is narrow and winding, but the Civic Si’s chassis tuning shines, letting the car dance eagerly between corners.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The musical shines by blending humor with themes of reincarnation myths and mortality.
—Gloria Ngwa, Twin Cities, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the classroom, Karter shines brightest in science and enjoys hands-on experiments.
—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 shines
Verb
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On dark nights, the rim of the crater glows orange.—
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Inside, light from shaded lamps and sconces glows amber-soft.—
Verb
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Dramatic silence after someone makes a comment that rubs them the wrong way.—
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Finally, with the boom of a cannon and the roar of the crowd, each team member and coach rubs Howard’s Rock for luck before hurtling down the hill toward the home sideline.—
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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Ethereally beautiful, with platinum hair, Fastvold radiates calm, a complement to Seyfried’s quicksilver curiosity, though both women have about them an inspiring clarity.—
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When a fire begins in a room without ventilation, the heat radiates downward, eventually engulfing all combustible items in its path, causing a flashover, per NFPA.—
Verb
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The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.—
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The Pillbox The most elegant of the bunch, the pillbox hat instantly polishes any look.—
Noun
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At a lavish country house party, a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong.—
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In the final setpiece, a Dracula versus Wolf Man fight is shunted to the background for the main event: two screaming comedians chased by a massive, groaning monster, deploying practical jokes and tricks to keep their pursuer at bay.—
Verb
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Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.—
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Despite a couple of funky skips, the album is fueled by the hunger of an artist who really wants the pop life again, perking up electro-scuzz and arena rock with new wave that gleams like glitter.—
Verb
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The light fabric smooths bumps and moves with you through workouts while still being comfortable for lounging.—
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This hybrid balm-powder formula delivers rich pigment with a soft-matte payoff that blurs the look of pores and smooths uneven skin.—
Cite this Entry
“Shines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shines. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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