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
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Recent Examples of blinked
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
The Nuggets stared into the eyes of a pack of Wolves, and blinked.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Hitchcock blinked rapidly as the drugs began flowing and took several deep breaths.
—Jeffrey Collins, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Two of the Tigers’ runs came in the eighth and two more in the ninth when the Braves’ typically solid defense blinked.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026
So who actually blinked first and who really came out on top?
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Wall Street looked at it, blinked, and slowly exhaled—leaving behind not a crater but a clearing, and for those paying attention, perhaps the most attractive technology entry point in more than a decade.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
The drone's indicator blinked red; Pok raised his AR glasses and read- ily offered his irises for scanning.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump blinked, pausing and watering down many of those tariffs in response to extreme market pressure.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
The Nuggets stared into the eyes of a pack of Wolves, and blinked.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Hitchcock blinked rapidly as the drugs began flowing and took several deep breaths.
—Jeffrey Collins, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Two of the Tigers’ runs came in the eighth and two more in the ninth when the Braves’ typically solid defense blinked.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026
So who actually blinked first and who really came out on top?
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Wall Street looked at it, blinked, and slowly exhaled—leaving behind not a crater but a clearing, and for those paying attention, perhaps the most attractive technology entry point in more than a decade.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
The drone's indicator blinked red; Pok raised his AR glasses and read- ily offered his irises for scanning.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump blinked, pausing and watering down many of those tariffs in response to extreme market pressure.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 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
-
Pok squinted against his bedroom's harsh, swinging light.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Dressed in periwinkle, Annie took off her shoes in front of the sunflowers, sat down, squinted into the sunlight and smiled.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Both eventually succumbed to their injuries.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
-
The latest, wild card Clément Tabur, put up resistance but ultimately succumbed 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the French Open Tuesday.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Ursula stared up from the gloomy nave at the enormous mahogany machine booming from the balcony and, rising from it, those shining, impossible banks of pipes that reached into the arches above.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
In response, Ellerbe’s attacker simply stared at her.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
As Miz went in for the kill on the top ropes, the lights flickered as Miz stumbled.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
-
Thanks to the film, that form has flickered in the minds of tourists from around the world for half a century.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Ten hours later, its transponder winked back into life due north of Abu Dhabi, heading for Bahrain.—
Priyanjana Bengani,
Bloomberg,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Sartorial outerwear crafted from archival fabrics mingled with pieces that winked to utility and workwear, with a few styles looking to balance these two souls in a single design, such as double wool hooded capes and coats.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Konate made 42 appearances — 31 in the Premier League — helping his side keep the second strongest defensive record in the division behind Arsenal with 41 goals conceded.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Aledo sophomore starting pitcher Tempe Perry conceded 13 hits, 11 earned runs and five walks.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
As Will gazed at the tallest land mammals on Earth, two calves galloped playfully across the exhibit, chasing one another.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
-
The star, who was previously linked to Zach Braff, smiled at the camera while a smitten Cole gazed at her.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blinked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blinked. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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