Synonyms of blinking

blinking

verb

present participle of blink

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

• twinkling
• flashing
• flickering
• winking
• glinting
• glittering
• glistening
• sparkling
• shimmering
• glimmering
• flaring
• glancing
• sparking
• scintillating
• coruscating
• spangling
• glistering

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

• squinting
• fluttering
• winking
• batting

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

• succumbing
• submitting
• bowing
• conceding
• surrendering
• relenting
• budging
• yielding
• capitulating
• giving in
• quitting
• throwing in the towel
• knuckling under
• acquiescing
• saying uncle
• deferring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resisting
• fighting
• facing
• contending
• confronting
• opposing
• meeting
• objecting
• combating
• battling
• countering
• repelling
• defying
• holding off
• withstanding
• thwarting
• breasting

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

• staring
• gazing
• gawking
• peering
• gaping
• glaring
• goggling
• gawping
• rubbernecking
• watching
• glowering
• gloating
• fixating
• leering
• ogling
• eyeing
• perusing
• observing
• studying
• considering
• staring down
• regarding
• poring (over)
• outfacing
• outstaring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• glancing
• peeking
• scanning
• peeping
• dipping (into)
• browsing
• glimpsing
• winking (at)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of blinking

From then on, whenever UV light hits the patch, its electrical resistance drops for a moment, and a small onboard chip responds by blinking an LED or flapping the wings. — New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2026

With the wool industry in decline after decades of drought, overgrazing and soaring production costs, some ranchers are betting on a different kind of shed — filled not with fleece but with blinking racks of servers. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

While music went along with the show, the blinking lights did not change colors. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

In schoolrooms and offices, there are worksheets and spreadsheets to be done; around the world, there are probably millions of Google Docs open in millions of browsers, cursors blinking. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Give Teams Context Alongside The Numbers Financial leaders should provide context, not another dashboard full of blinking numbers nobody understands. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Unlike Tourette’s patients — whose initial tics are often very simple, such as blinking — some of these young people made complex movements. — Nebyou Belay, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Under the hood, though, concerning signals are blinking that, if they aren't fixed soon, could crescendo into alarm bells. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

Tousle-haired, rosy-cheeked and 10 inches tall, Topo Gigio was remarkably lifelike — equipped with a moving mouth and blinking eyes. — Kaja Andric, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026