wink 1 of 2

Definition of winknext
1
as in nap
a short sleep I wasn't able to catch a wink during the entire flight

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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

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

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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

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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 timing felt like a wink from the universe. Jenna MacMillan, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026 Add curtain holdbacks with playful animal details, or top your door hinges with decorative hinge caps for a knowing wink of whimsy. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
With plenty of palace intrigue and a winking Favourite-esque sense of humor, The Serpent Queen is far from a stuffy costume drama. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026 Badlands might be a simple movie on the surface, but it's filled with little details, bits of lore, and cheeky winks many moviegoers appreciated. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wink
Noun
  • If possible, set aside some time today to journal, listen to your favorite music, or just take a nap!
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Hyde, 42, is far removed from the world of play dates and nap times.
    Shay Castle, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Seven stacks of tiny paper cups were arranged to the left, next to packets of Nescafé, pouches of two-minute noodles, and a double gas burner connected to the cylinder—the main tool of his trade.
    Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The dinky port town of Antiparos, with a strip of cute shops, cafes, and unpretentious restaurants, is a ten-minute drive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Nets blinked once Tuesday night and the Charlotte Hornets took the game.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • When the mic initially blinked out, the crowd joined in to back Balisi, who closed it out beautifully with a replacement mic.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Wessels catches gleams to follow not only in magical tales but in twinkling memories, sparkling wordplay, the films of silver-screen star Veronica Lake, and his charm of a daughter, the inspiration of a half-dozen poems that take their titles from spells.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Animated pixie dust twinkled on the screen, courtesy of the fairy, Tinker Bell.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Beyond it, glass cases gleam with Bvlgari jewels, while the polished marble surfaces shimmer in the light.
    Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • But the approach matters more than most people realize, and getting the timing, tools and technique right can mean the difference between gleaming glass and a frustrating mess of streaks and residue.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This is a youngster in great form and proving hard to ignore.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Some Democrats argue that the cost of ignoring young male voters is higher than the risk of association with Piker.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Such hair-thin probes can measure heartbeat, oxygen saturation and temperature in real time.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Catheterization is used to look for structural issues that could cause conditions like clogged arteries, irregular heartbeat and pulmonary hypertension.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • There are blinking bacteria, flaming fungus, shimmering squid, and flashing fish.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
  • But someone might want to mention to the president that flashing a big gold statue of himself while cities are still doing cleanup from enormous No Kings marches might seem funny to some.
    Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wink. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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