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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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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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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3
as in like
positive regard for something
took quite a shine to the new neighbors
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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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Cite this Entry
“Shine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shine. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
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