wink 1 of 2

wink

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to blink
to rapidly open and close one's eyes she winked several times to get the dust and grit out of her eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to twinkle
to shine with light at regular intervals a lighthouse was winking in the distance

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in to ignore
to secretly sympathize with or pretend ignorance of something improper or unlawful the whole sporting world seems to wink as untold sums are bet on the outcome of the Super Bowl

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of wink
Noun
The script, by Trier and his longtime writing partner, Eskil Vogt, has their usual sparkling comic touch, with a wink of meta-savvy for cinephiles; a Haneke/Gaspar Noé joke absolutely kills. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 May 2025 That title is not just going to be a wink and a nod. Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 15 May 2025
Verb
Ghosts that wink could be scary but the face Sal makes is disturbing in other ways. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025 As promised, former Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese has shared a winking list of the 10 possible reasons he might have been fired from the band. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wink
Noun
  • Parks aren’t profitable, museums are empty, and the fine citizens of DUMBO just honk their horns at each other when a massive herbivore escapes from the zoo for a nap under the Brooklyn Bridge.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 June 2025
  • Many of them could relate to our results with a personal experience of having a (creative) breakthrough after a nap.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The walk takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
  • If an object’s position or brightness has changed, an alert will be issued to the global scientific community within just two minutes.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Diana, for example, when anything unpleasant was said in her presence, would slowly blink her eyes in an incredible act of denial.
    Rosemary Counter, Time, 25 June 2025
  • For three days, Santi didn’t cry, didn’t latch, didn’t blink.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The rooftop crowd enjoys views of Denver’s skyline and Larimer Square, which charms with its signature hammock of twinkling lights draped over the block.
    Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
  • Soon her eyes were twinkling as her planes danced and arced across the sky.
    Michael Monson, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • The gleaming family-style kitchen that's both welcoming and chic.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
  • Ranging from $45 to $55, the eight art prints in the capsule feature pre-framed designs that gleam with silver and gold foil detailing.
    Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • While Paladino’s nonsense was rightfully ignored, a letter from a member of the House majority to the AG may not be ignored, especially this AG, especially under this president.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • Those who depend on freewheeling and shoot-from-the-hip strategies and tactics to address a crisis are ignoring or disregarding fundamental crisis management best practices that favor a calm, deliberate, and thoughtful approach.
    Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Spanning over 30 years, the event will once again celebrate the heartbeat of Latin music and culture with four days of panels, marquee conversations, roundtables, showcases, networking and activations.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 June 2025
  • Music has always been the heartbeat of the VMAs, but the show’s soul comes from its willingness to break rules, embrace unpredictability and reflect the times.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement What Ennis fears, the violent murder that flashes through his mind when Lureen tells him of Jack’s death as a result of an exploding tire, is still happening.
    Rich Juzwiak, Time, 24 June 2025
  • The gambler made a bet, hit spin and watched as the symbols flashed across the screen.
    Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wink. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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