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
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2
as in squinting
to rapidly open and close one's eyes
I blinked for a few seconds after the camera flashed
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blinking
In addition to a healthy contingent of federal firefighters, federal workers from the departments of agriculture, the interior, and others have a strong presence in the town, which has a lone blinking stop-and-go traffic light and no parking meters.
—
David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Since then, key changes to the costume have included the introduction of a more rounded, less cartoonish head — one that later evolved to allow for blinking and mouth movement.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
This off-season, every off-season is one long blinking-in-astonishment-WTF-meme.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
However, if someone stares at a screen too long and isn't regularly blinking, their eyes are not stimulating the system that makes tears.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Active liveness detection prompts users to perform tasks such as blinking, turning their head or reading a phrase aloud.
—Mohamed Lazzouni, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Bob came out, blinking his eyes hard and closing his big fists tight, splaying his fingers back out in a pink baby starfish.
—Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
There is no blinking, no glowing ring, no airbrushed stand.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
All of Europe’s economic indicators are still blinking yellow or red, and national budgets are increasingly constrained by recent commitments to invest massively more in defense.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Since then, key changes to the costume have included the introduction of a more rounded, less cartoonish head — one that later evolved to allow for blinking and mouth movement.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
This off-season, every off-season is one long blinking-in-astonishment-WTF-meme.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
However, if someone stares at a screen too long and isn't regularly blinking, their eyes are not stimulating the system that makes tears.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Active liveness detection prompts users to perform tasks such as blinking, turning their head or reading a phrase aloud.
—Mohamed Lazzouni, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Bob came out, blinking his eyes hard and closing his big fists tight, splaying his fingers back out in a pink baby starfish.
—Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
There is no blinking, no glowing ring, no airbrushed stand.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
All of Europe’s economic indicators are still blinking yellow or red, and national budgets are increasingly constrained by recent commitments to invest massively more in defense.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blinking
Verb
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And when the sun sets, the prairie’s endless horizon really shines—welcoming bright, twinkling stars.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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The white beard, the twinkling eyes behind round spectacles, the mustache curled with wax at its ends are all real, all his.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In it, the student’s beaming; Kirk is squinting into the sun.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
An overly wide eye may mean that your dog is feeling threatened, while a small or squinting eye may suggest fear or stress.—
Dawn Kovell,
Mercury News,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In late July, Kwame’s brother, Jabari, was also euthanized after succumbing to arthritis.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Californian took the first set against Ekaterina Alexandrova at last year’s tournament and had her vastly more experienced Russian opponent on the ropes on several occasions before eventually succumbing.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When you're stuck staring at a blank page, your brain fills the space with doubt.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Gen Z is staring up from the bottom of the corporate ladder, but with AI job automation and economic headwinds, the prospect of landing a job—let alone climbing the greasy pole—is more daunting than ever.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The first photo in the carousel showed Brooks posing with her arms wrapped around her husband-to-be, flashing her ring as the couple posed for the camera in the black-and-white shot.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
-
With the flashing beacon crosswalk no longer a choice, one option would be to install a radar speed sign.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ukraine has been submitting films for the international feature category since 1997 but has yet to secure a nomination.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Silva is coming off a dominant performance at UFC 314, submitting Bryce Mitchell in the second round.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In February, the expectant mother shared several snaps from their engagement on Instagram, including a picture of them gazing in each other's eyes and one of Bowen putting her veil over Zuckerman's head.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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Jämsén sees this series as being about gazing at the water, rather than being glued to a large screen or cocktail bar inside.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Two flickering votive candles, and twelve white roses were placed Wednesday evening at Traditions Plaza at the University of Missouri in honor of the life of conservative activitist Charlie Kirk, 31, who only hours before was killed by an assassin’s bullet in Utah.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
11 Sep. 2025
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The Sixth Symphony, after flickering episodes that veer from the dreamlike to the nightmarish, ends with a sentimental cadence in E-flat major that feels no more real than what has come before.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blinking. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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