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
Unlike conventional theme parks with flashing lights and other heavy sensory stimulation, the park will avoid blinking and strobing effects, planning documents say.
—
Kendrick Calfee
february 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
By labeling neurons with fluorescent proteins, each neural impulse appears as a tiny flash of light—like stars blinking in the dark.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
On a recent chilly afternoon in Copenhagen, sitting outside a cafe with blinking heat lamps, Company Sergeant Major Henrik Bager shared a Danish expression.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
Trump keeps blinking and tries to cover his tracks, as things returned more or less to the status quo.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
So the eyes' location, protection from blinking eyelids and constant tear production work in unison to keep them from freezing.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
During this time, Peters appeared to be blinking, slowly closing his eyes and squinting until his eyes were almost closed, according to the criminal complaint.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Image courtesy of the researchers A team of researchers in China has developed a remarkable device to allow people with limited mobility to use computers and experience VR content by moving their eyeballs – and to power the gadget simply by blinking.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 12 Jan. 2026
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
Kendrick Calfee
february 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
By labeling neurons with fluorescent proteins, each neural impulse appears as a tiny flash of light—like stars blinking in the dark.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
On a recent chilly afternoon in Copenhagen, sitting outside a cafe with blinking heat lamps, Company Sergeant Major Henrik Bager shared a Danish expression.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
Trump keeps blinking and tries to cover his tracks, as things returned more or less to the status quo.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
So the eyes' location, protection from blinking eyelids and constant tear production work in unison to keep them from freezing.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
During this time, Peters appeared to be blinking, slowly closing his eyes and squinting until his eyes were almost closed, according to the criminal complaint.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Image courtesy of the researchers A team of researchers in China has developed a remarkable device to allow people with limited mobility to use computers and experience VR content by moving their eyeballs – and to power the gadget simply by blinking.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 12 Jan. 2026
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
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
-
Those last 20 minutes are pretty engaging, even if some of that engagement is squinting to see and interpret what’s going on.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
-
View gallery - 4 images Soldering frequently involves hunching in and squinting at the fiddly task at hand, or performing that task under an unmoving magnifying glass.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And then Malinin, 21, imploded in a shocking collapse, succumbing to the enormous pressure of his first Winter Games and finishing an incomprehensible eighth.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Her elder two sisters died at 10 and 11; her sister Anne at 29; her ne’er-do-well brother Branwell at 31; and Charlotte at the ripe age of 38—all succumbing to tuberculosis.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jordan Stolz, sitting opposite of the finish line staring at a large video board, looked at his coach and nodded.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Most of the crowd is talking quietly among themselves, oblivious to Trevor Yeakley’s gaze, except for two men staring daggers right back at him.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mobility-accessible rooms come with roll-in showers, flashing door knockers, and hearing kits, among other thoughtful amenities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Be especially cautious in school zones and watch for children and the flashing lights of school buses.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Roethling recommends submitting the sample to your local Cooperative Extension office for accurate testing.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
20 Feb. 2026
-
When submitting, please include your address along with the specific date and time of the video.—
Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Images of Robbie in looks from archival John Galliano to custom Dilara Findikoglu, often gazing up at co-star Jacob Elordi, himself in custom Bottega Veneta, have been crowding our social feeds for weeks, well ahead of the film’s February 13 release.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
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The façade was pure marketing, with Schubert and Mozart gazing down on an arched display window that gave views into the rotunda.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Can flickering lights and sound slow Alzheimer’s?—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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Taper candles can add interest to a dining table, and votives can create flickering light on a patio.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blinking. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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