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
The trend, Morales said, should come as a giant, blinking warning sign for Republicans, who ran in 2024 on promises to decrease inflation and improve the cost of living for everyday Americans.
—
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
The costume was designed by veteran costume and puppet designer Tahra Zafar and, of course, includes Paddington’s trademark blue duffel coat and red hat, as well as mechanics that enable facial expressions like blinking.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The Rise of the New Tech Auteur A decade ago, rendering a dragon onstage took a research grant and a control room full of blinking gear.
—Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
While the décor favors blinking neon signs and vintage photos evoking Michigan’s status as the Motor State, lush landscaping and shady groves lend a feeling of seclusion.
—Melanie Haiken, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
The camera then switches from the chaos of the puppy, to the kitten—who is sitting in a relaxed position, blinking slowly, and staring almost disdainfully at the wriggling puppy.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Beyoncé went from disco-diva futurism on Renaissance to cowboy boots on Cowboy Carter without blinking.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Bohumila stepped into the pub, blinking into the dark and smoke.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
By springtime, the lingering sight of the giant artificial tree — still decked out in blinking lights and a red bow — was drawing attention on social media and causing concern for the mall's future.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
The costume was designed by veteran costume and puppet designer Tahra Zafar and, of course, includes Paddington’s trademark blue duffel coat and red hat, as well as mechanics that enable facial expressions like blinking.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The Rise of the New Tech Auteur A decade ago, rendering a dragon onstage took a research grant and a control room full of blinking gear.
—Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
While the décor favors blinking neon signs and vintage photos evoking Michigan’s status as the Motor State, lush landscaping and shady groves lend a feeling of seclusion.
—Melanie Haiken, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
The camera then switches from the chaos of the puppy, to the kitten—who is sitting in a relaxed position, blinking slowly, and staring almost disdainfully at the wriggling puppy.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Beyoncé went from disco-diva futurism on Renaissance to cowboy boots on Cowboy Carter without blinking.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Bohumila stepped into the pub, blinking into the dark and smoke.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
By springtime, the lingering sight of the giant artificial tree — still decked out in blinking lights and a red bow — was drawing attention on social media and causing concern for the mall's future.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blinking
Verb
-
So many things, dropped and lost and mislaid, twinkling all over the place like a museum/ junkyard.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
These festive services offer travelers a chance to experience Europe's holiday traditions while evoking the romance of classic rail travel, complete with twinkling decorations, seasonal menus, and the kind of slow-travel nostalgia that everyone's seeking at the moment.—
Jenn Rice,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The mother-son duo posed for photos, with Valentino adorably squinting from the bright lights of the cameras.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
When the result was announced, boos echoed through the venue, and Aspinall, still squinting and visibly frustrated, made his feelings clear during his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There seemed to be an element of sadomasochistic play in their relationship, of withholding and succumbing, that contravenes the popular sense of an unremitting dominant-submissive dynamic.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
-
To the public eye, this might look like scientists are succumbing to groupthink and an unreasonable resistance to any new ideas.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
A lot of these schools are staring at declining enrollments, so money is tight on college campuses.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
-
And then on Thursday, after most of the show had been written, a man collapsed in the Oval Office, generating an instantly meme-able photograph of the president staring into the camera, looking oblivious to efforts to revive the prone victim at stage left.—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There were gaps and cracks at the metal flashing joints throughout the cook lines.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Legendary investor Warren Buffett’s favorite market indicator, which compares a measure of the total value of the US stock market to the value of US economic growth, is also flashing a warning sign.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Going public via a traditional IPO, after all, means submitting to intense financial scrutiny from banks, investors and regulators.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
-
And students in English classes often used online tools like Grammarly to check grammar and punctuation before submitting assignments.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The camera then zooms out to show that the athlete is actually inside of a snow globe, which the pop star has been gazing into and shaking.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But gazing at the field of red clay just feet away from his front door gives him the feeling that Charlotte’s growth is climbing on top of him.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Behind it, festive props and flickering lights add to the chaos.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The moment unofficially sealed the Commanders’ 38-14 defeat and appears to be the dagger in a disappointing season that already had flickering hopes entering this game.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blinking. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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