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

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

Only the dark bodies of container ships, crowned with blinking lights, massed along the sea’s horizon, as solid as a wall. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 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

Plus, the regime has endured a worse situation without blinking, and for a longer time. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026

Parkinson’s is often marked by tremors, slow or impaired movement, tenseness or rigidity and difficulty balancing, as well as speech changes and loss of automatic motor functions like blinking or smiling, according to Mayo Clinic. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Some people have simple motor tics, such as blinking, shoulder shrugging or facial movements. — Michael Okun, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026

The film’s opening scene has her wading naked in Hampstead Ponds at night, looking up at the blinking stars and naming the constellations to herself, then closing her eyes as if to let the galaxies above wash over her. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026