Synonyms

glancing

American

[glan-sing, glahn-] / ˈglæn sɪŋ, ˈglɑn- /

adjective

striking obliquely and bouncing off at an angle.

a glancing blow.
brief and indirect.

glancing references to his dubious past.

Other Word Forms

glancingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of glancing

First recorded in 1485–95; glance ¹ + -ing ²

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.

Captain Moreno's glancing header from a corner pulled Villarreal level with 20 minutes remaining to secure a point and take him to seven for the season in La Liga.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

Like Pawson on Saturday, Gillett said contact was glancing.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

“I don’t understand,” they say, glancing down at their EBT card.

From Salon • Jan. 3, 2026

Someone glancing at it would see $811 million of revenue over the last four quarters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

He wiped a hand on his shorts and held it out, not even glancing at me.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023