blinked

past tense of blink
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

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2
as in squinted
to rapidly open and close one's eyes I blinked for a few seconds after the camera flashed

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4

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 While the sign has previously blinked one side at a time, appearing to rotate clockwise, Rand does not plan to have the lights blink moving forward. Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 7 Aug. 2026 Birdie blinked slowly to clear her eyes, then carefully pressed the cold metal of the knife against her cheek. Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026 In the monitoring room, screens blinked and maps pulsed, quietly charting what was happening underground. Andrei Popoviciu, The Dial, 21 July 2026 As Ford, Collins, and Ripley looked up, the green lights blinked on, confirming the signal had been received. Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026 Then, yesterday, Washington blinked, withdrawing the controls. Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Drouin blinked first, ending his holdout in March and playing for Syracuse. Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 June 2026 The cushion is running out So far, consumers haven’t blinked. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 June 2026 Trump has blinked many times in the confrontation with Iran—ever since March 18, when Israel attacked the Pars gas field and Iran retaliated with a strike against Qatar’s most important natural-gas-production facility. Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blinked
Verb
  • Before a big night out or even just dinner with friends, lids twinkled, cheekbones caught the light from every angle, and lip gloss doubled as a mirror.
    Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Animated pixie dust twinkled on the screen, courtesy of the fairy, Tinker Bell.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • McNutt said as Murray squinted down at the stands and zoomed in to catch a photo of the pop superstar for his wife.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
  • Pok squinted against his bedroom's harsh, swinging light.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The man succumbed to his injuries at the scene while the boy died at the hospital, per the release.
    Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Shakur succumbed to his injuries six days later at 25 years old.
    Michael Ruiz , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • As prosecutors played audio of Davis explaining the moment Shakur was shot, members of Shakur's family, including his stepbrother Maurice Shakur, stared ahead and listened intently from the audience.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Near the intersection of 11th Street and Washington Avenue, Hoffmann stopped and stared at the illuminated building across the street — the Miami Beach Police Department.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Inexplicably, the lights flickered during the groom-mother dance.
    Anna Raskind, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • While lights flickered, music blared and fans cheered, the goal was ruled off; Harris was initially deemed offside.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Baronessa winked and stated that the princess was an inspiration to others.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
  • Ten hours later, its transponder winked back into life due north of Abu Dhabi, heading for Bahrain.
    Priyanjana Bengani, Bloomberg, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But the rest of the second quarter was South Africa's and New Zealand somehow conceded only a second Kolbe penalty and not 10 points, at least.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • If Gluck has willingly conceded to the anti-erotic proclivities of his intended audience, Araki has, naturally, set out to defy them.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Kikuko rolled over on her side and gazed up at the sky, which had suddenly become blanketed in thunder clouds.
    Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In another photo, the actress leaned into the camera and gazed off into the water.
    Meg Walters, InStyle, 24 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blinked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blinked. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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