glare

1 of 2

verb

ˈgler How to pronounce glare (audio)
glared; glaring
Synonyms of glare

intransitive verb

1
a
: to shine with a harsh uncomfortably brilliant light
b
: stand out, obtrude
2
: to stare angrily or fiercely
glared at me with rage and hate

transitive verb

1
: to express (something, such as hostility) by staring angrily
glared defiance at each other
2
archaic : to cause to be sharply reflected

glare

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a harsh uncomfortably bright light
the glare of a neon sign
the glare of publicity
especially : painfully bright sunlight
b
: cheap showy brilliance : garishness
enjoyed the glitter and glare of the city's nightlife
2
: an angry or fierce stare
3
: a surface or sheet of smooth and slippery ice

Synonyms of glare

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Verb

Noun

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Examples of glare in a Sentence

Verb The sun glared down relentlessly. The white snow glared in the morning sunlight. The teacher glared at him as he walked in late. Noun There was a glare coming off the water. I was blinded by the glare of the approaching headlights. I shielded my eyes from the glare of the sun. The car's headlights are designed to cut down on glare. She responded to the reporters' questions with an angry glare.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The only glaring weakness was, once again, the superstar who used to be their strength. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 The company partnered with Corning to actually etch a unique texture into the glass itself that is meant to be richer, higher contrast, and less prone to glare than a typical display. — David Pierce, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
Winter is still so young—24—and caught in the glare of a very bright followspot. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026 Harvard University faced the glare of lawsuits and investigations over allegations of antisemitism on campus. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for glare

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English glaren; akin to Old English glæs glass

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of glare was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing glare

Rhymes for glare

See All Rhymes for glare

Browse Nearby Words

glar
glare
glare ice
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glare. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

glare

verb
ˈgla(ə)r, 
ˈgle(ə)r
glared; glaring
1
a
: to shine with a harsh uncomfortably brilliant light
b
: to stand out annoyingly
2
: to stare angrily or fiercely
glare noun
glary
ˈgla(ə)r-ē, 
ˈgle(ə)r-
adjective
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