Glare — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈgler/

Meaning & Definition of Glare

Glare (verb)

  1. to shine with a harsh uncomfortably brilliant light
  2. stand out, obtrude
  3. to stare angrily or fiercely

Glare (noun)

  1. a harsh uncomfortably bright light; especially, painfully bright sunlight
  2. cheap showy brilliance, garishness
  3. an angry or fierce stare

Glare (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible

    "the sudden glare of the squad car's headlights in my rearview mirror"

    similar: blaze, flare, fluorescence, gleam, glow, illumination, incandescence, light, luminescence, radiance, shine
    related: flash, glimmer, glint, glitter, scintillation, shimmer, sparkle, twinkle, daylight, moonlight, sunlight, sunshine, afterglow, aureole, aurora, beam, halo, ray, shaft, streak, stream, sunbeam, glisten, gloss, luster, polish, reflection, sheen
    near: blackness, dark, darkness, dimness, dusk, duskiness, gloom, night, shadow

Glare (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to shine with a bright harsh light

    "the spotlight glared down on the suspect as the police questioned him relentlessly"

    similar: beat, blaze, burn, flame, flare
    related: beam, glow, radiate, flash, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, scintillate, shimmer, sparkle, twinkle, bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle

  2. to look with anger or disapproval

    "don't glare at me like that when I tell you no"

    similar: frown, gloom, glower, lower, scowl, look daggers
    related: gape, gaze, ogle, stare, grimace, pout, sulk, growl, snarl, sneer, snigger
    opposite: beam, grin, smile

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Glare

The most common words with a similar meaning to Glare:

blaze, flare, fluorescence, gleam, glow, illumination, incandescence, light, luminescence, radiance, shine, beat, burn, flame, frown, gloom, glower, lower, scowl, look daggers

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Glare

Words with the opposite meaning of Glare:

beam, grin, smile

Related Words for Glare

flash, glimmer, glint, glitter, scintillation, shimmer, sparkle, twinkle, daylight, moonlight, sunlight, sunshine, afterglow, aureole, aurora, beam, halo, ray, shaft, streak, stream, sunbeam, glisten, gloss, luster, polish, reflection, sheen, radiate, glance

Near Antonyms of Glare

blackness, dark, darkness, dimness, dusk, duskiness, gloom, night, shadow

Word Forms of Glare

Inflections: glared, glaring

Origin & Etymology of Glare

Middle English glaren; akin to Old English glæs glass

First known use: 13th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Glare

anti-glare

Frequently Asked Questions about Glare

What does "Glare" mean?

"Glare" means to shine with a harsh uncomfortably brilliant light. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to shine with a harsh uncomfortably brilliant light. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Glare"?

Other words for "Glare" include blaze, flare, fluorescence, gleam, glow, illumination, incandescence and light. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Glare" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Glare"?

There are 67 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Glare". Common alternatives include blaze, flare, fluorescence, gleam, glow, illumination, incandescence, light, luminescence and radiance.

What is the opposite of "Glare"?

Antonyms of "Glare" include beam, grin and smile. Near antonyms include blackness, dark, darkness and dimness.

How do you use "Glare" in a sentence?

Examples of "Glare" in a sentence: "the sudden glare of the squad car's headlights in my rearview mirror"; "the spotlight glared down on the suspect as the police questioned him relentlessly"; "don't glare at me like that when I tell you no".

Is "Glare" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Glare" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Glare"?

"Glare" is pronounced /ˈgler/.

What is the origin of the word "Glare"?

"Glare" comes from Middle English glaren; akin to Old English glæs glass. First known use: 13th centuryi.