Synonymic dominants

Dim, obscure, vague (a). Dim expresses a degree of darkness, it suggests just so much darkness that the things before one cannot be seen clearly.

Obscure is now more often than used in its figurative sense (denoting something the true meaning of which is not understandable) than in its literal sense, but is still employed when there is a suggestion of darkening by covering, concealment, overshadowing, e.g. The strange object looked obscure through the deep water.

Vague in its physical application denotes smth. which is lacking in distinct outlines, as the vague shape of a building or a tree in the distance.

Vague in its non-physical sense means knowledge, an idea, statement, answer, feeling, etc. lacking in clear definition either because it is too general or because it is not formulated clearly enough, e.g. He had got used to connecting her with a vague sense of the future.

We may have only a dim recollection of the appearance of a house, and only a vague idea of the district in which it is situated. A writer’s ideas may be so vague as to tend to become obscure to most of the readers.

To flash, to glitter, to twinkle, to flicker (v). Flash implies a sudden outburst of light or a sudden display of something that brilliantly reflects light.

Glitter refers to an unsteady emission of light caused by the reflection on transparent or bright bodies, thus a diamond glitters by the reflection on transparent or bright bodies, thus a diamond glitters by the reflection of the light on it. A person’s eyes may be said to glitter with fever, wickedness, greed, cunning, etc.

Twinkle suggests soft, faint and intermittent flashing, as the twinkling of the stars. A person’s eyes may be said to twinkle with amusement.

Flicker suggests a light moving with an unsteady and swift motion, swaying because of a sudden disturbance in the air, as the flicker of the candle.

To look, to stare, to gaze, to glare, to glance, to eye (v). Look is neutral and does not imply any particular aspects of the manner of watching; look n

Stare look steadily, with wide-open eyes, in surprise, curiosity or contempt. Stare may also denote the way of senseless looking devoid of any expression as stare into space; stare n.

Gaze implies a long and steady process of looking. It may be emotionally coloured: a person may gaze in wonder, tenderness, with interest, e.g. she was gazing at her baby; gaze n.

Glare look long, angrily or even fiercely; glare n.

Glance take a very quick look; glance n.

Eye watch very carefully, as to eye a person with suspicion.