1
as in twinkled
to shine with light at regular intervals
she loves to sit in the dark and watch the lights on the Christmas tree blink in ever-changing patterns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in succumbed
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)
for two days the nations stood on the brink of war, until one finally blinked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stared
to look long and hard in wonder or surprise
stood blinking at the ridiculous scene before him in utter disbelief
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 blinked
After dinner, the lights dimmed and a screen blinked on.
—
Nick Stern, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Yamamoto has rarely blinked since.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
His son stirred, half asleep, and blinked up at Khaled’s unfamiliar face.
—Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Similarly, during the 2013 shutdown, public sentiment blinked against both Congress and the president, with Republicans in Congress absorbing a heavier share of the blame.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The doe’s eyes blinked on either side of a spindly trunk.
—Devon O’Neil, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025
Disney blinked once and could just as easily blink again.
—Lizz Winstead, Time, 27 Sep. 2025
Shirley Phinzee blinked wearily under the fluorescent lights of a Miami Wendy’s.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Ultimately, Republicans blinked.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Nick Stern, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Yamamoto has rarely blinked since.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
His son stirred, half asleep, and blinked up at Khaled’s unfamiliar face.
—Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Similarly, during the 2013 shutdown, public sentiment blinked against both Congress and the president, with Republicans in Congress absorbing a heavier share of the blame.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The doe’s eyes blinked on either side of a spindly trunk.
—Devon O’Neil, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025
Disney blinked once and could just as easily blink again.
—Lizz Winstead, Time, 27 Sep. 2025
Shirley Phinzee blinked wearily under the fluorescent lights of a Miami Wendy’s.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Ultimately, Republicans blinked.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blinked
Verb
-
My astrologer’s eyes twinkled with infuriating delight.—
Jessie Rosen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Finn’s eyes, wide and wonderful, twinkled under the Mile High moonlight as the young girl took the stage for the first time.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Babycatcher looked up at the sky and squinted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And Davie easily outlasted his former boss, George Entwistle, who succumbed to scandal in 54 days.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In the ignominious manner of his death, many great artists have succumbed to drugs.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After the photo opportunity, the girls stared at Minnie with Bennett taking a particular interest in the Disney character’s glam look.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Perhaps this is the first time the group stared into the rearview mirror to think about something akin to a greatest hits set.—
Daniel Dylan Wray,
Pitchfork,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The lights inside Lynn Family Stadium flickered in celebration, as bells and cheers rang out.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Ten minutes later — now 200 feet deeper into the cave — Tim's light began to dim and then flickered out.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Farther up, on Observatory Hill, tall cryptomeria trees were silhouetted in the darkening evening, and down in the valleys, lights winked on like reflections of the planets and stars appearing in the sky.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Mesh styles made a return in pointy-toe kitten-heel pumps in neutral colors while the Babouche design was reinterpreted in a python print or black satin that winked also to comfy red carpet moments.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kinloch conceded the election in a short speech to his supporters Tuesday night.—
Corey Williams,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Sinclair, Ripley conceded, has experienced the downside of YouTube TV’s growth, including blackouts of its affiliated regional sports networks.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That means by the end of 2030, the iconic ISS – where the world's astronauts have lived, worked and gazed upon the cosmos for more than two decades – will be no more.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Indeed, this is a coffee table book that’s meant to be savored and not just gazed at.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blinked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blinked. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share