1
as in twinkling
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
as in squinting
to rapidly open and close one's eyes
I blinked for a few seconds after the camera flashed
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in succumbing
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 staring
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 blinking
Centennial and Westminster are among the cities in Colorado that don’t allow blinking neon lights outside of businesses, Glen Weseloh said.
—
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Any muscles used for movement — including those involved in speaking, chewing, swallowing, seeing, blinking, breathing and walking — can be affected.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Despite the toll Bug exacts, however, Coon is in exceptionally good humor—if with the blinking optimism of a new year in an unstable reality.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
The negative signs, though, are blinking red.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Watch your dog for signs of squinting, blinking, runny eyes, or pawing at his face.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 24 Dec. 2025
Anyone who’s stared at a blinking cursor on a half-finished resume knows the feeling.
—K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Maybe the Ghoul would kill a guy without blinking an eye, but assassination seems less in Cooper’s wheelhouse.
—Jack King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
Life is easygoing here, where scarcely any building grows taller than two stories, and there's not one blinking traffic light around to pay any mind.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2025
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Any muscles used for movement — including those involved in speaking, chewing, swallowing, seeing, blinking, breathing and walking — can be affected.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Despite the toll Bug exacts, however, Coon is in exceptionally good humor—if with the blinking optimism of a new year in an unstable reality.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
The negative signs, though, are blinking red.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Watch your dog for signs of squinting, blinking, runny eyes, or pawing at his face.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 24 Dec. 2025
Anyone who’s stared at a blinking cursor on a half-finished resume knows the feeling.
—K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Maybe the Ghoul would kill a guy without blinking an eye, but assassination seems less in Cooper’s wheelhouse.
—Jack King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
Life is easygoing here, where scarcely any building grows taller than two stories, and there's not one blinking traffic light around to pay any mind.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blinking
Verb
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The team Pep Guardiola built in the early 2010s, combining the wonderful passing of Xavi Hernandez and Andrés Iniesta with the twinkling magic of Lionel Messi, will forever be remembered.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The stars are twinkling down at them, adding cool light to the 91-degree heat.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The earlier of Sunday’s two title games, after some squinting, will feature the Denver Broncos hosting the New England Patriots led by quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Drake Maye, respectively.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Latecomers in search of a view had to take their chances from the very top of the stadium, squinting to see the players dancing on the court below.—
Owen Lewis,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The man was pronounced dead at the hospital after succumbing to his injuries, according to police.—
Kelsey Brown,
San Antonio Express-News,
4 Jan. 2026
-
After temporarily succumbing to one of his deeply seductive illusions, the Big Other urges him to stop dreaming.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Regardless of how the strike turns out, Laurel Lucia, deputy executive director for the Labor Center at UC Berkeley, said the health care industry in California is staring at considerable changes to its business landscape.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
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Alessandro Michele, at Valentino, was also thinking of how to collide reality and fantasy, staging his collection in nooks inspired by the kaiser panorama, an early 20th century precursor to cinema, in which viewers sat around a circle, staring into a contraption displaying slides.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In addition to the speeding charge, Richardson was cited for following and flashing at vehicles too closely as well as making improper lane changes.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Gerald McDaniels, driving in the center lane, spotted the Olympian flashing her brights at the car in front of her and announced that Richardson's Aston Martin topped 104 mph on State Road 429 near Stoneybrook Parkway in Winter Garden, Florida.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In testimony Wednesday morning, Jaquez Lewis admitted to submitting the letters in the name of her former aides.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2026
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The Oprah Winfrey Show aired through 2011, winning so many Daytime Emmy Awards that Winfrey decided to stop submitting herself and the show for consideration.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If star-gazing and vintage glamping sound dreamy, head to Camp Kettlewood.—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
13 Jan. 2026
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By day, visitors can hike, cycle, and view ancient petroglyphs left behind by the area's Indigenous Northern Paiute people, before spending the night gazing up at the twinkling canopy.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But now, with recent events in Minnesota, that 2020 spirit seems to be tentatively flickering back to life.—
Jemele Hill,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
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What these Studies Mean for Human Intelligence The flickering neurons inside the zebrafish brain give a tiny life form the ability to measure and navigate its world.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blinking. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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