shines

NOUN

brightness; polish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

gleam glitz gloss luster sheen shimmer sparkle

STRONG

flash glare glaze glint lambency light luminosity patina radiance rub show

Antonyms

STRONGEST

darkness dullness

STRONG

dark

VERB

give off or reflect light

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beam blink burn dazzle flash flicker glare gleam glisten glitter glow illuminate radiate shimmer sparkle twinkle

STRONG

bedazzle blaze deflect flare glimmer illumine incandesce irradiate luminesce mirror scintillate

WEAK

emit light give light

Antonyms

STRONGEST

darken dull

VERB

polish, burnish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

rub

STRONG

brush buff finish furbish glance glaze gloss scour sleek wax

WEAK

buff up give a sheen make brilliant put a finish on put a gloss on

Antonyms

WEAK

dull

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Sun always shines in space and can’t be blocked by clouds.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2026

But I love him best when he’s silly and sensitive and Tim Allen really shines at providing the spaceman with an emotional depth.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

However, it also raises troubling questions for the booming high-altitude tourism industry, and shines a spotlight on the deadly risks Sherpas who work on Mount Everest face.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

It’s bathed in sunlight that only occasionally shines on an ephemeral memory, revealing that the recollection is laced with as much honest love as regret.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

“When a flashlight shines on the sand, you see hundreds of eyes looking back at you.”

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn