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.

Serbian midfielder Samardzic held his composure to slam home the penalty left-footed with the ball glancing the underside of the crossbar on its way into the net.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 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

It is is why we started to hear references to glancing contact in a tackle or, when it comes to a shirt pull, a fleeting hold.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

"When you are feeling better," Allun went on, glancing meaningfully at the others, "we will move on, into the forest. Here!"

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

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