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
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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
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
Two tiny humanoid robots that can play soccer stand in a glass case, one blinking and gesturing at visitors and the other partially disassembled to reveal the engineering inside.
—
Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Why face the blank page and the blinking cursor?
—Charles Yu, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Just blasted off the line while everyone else stood there blinking.
—Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
In a matter of hours, modern conflict looked less like tanks and more like a blinking cursor.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Look for signs like inconsistent eye blinking, subtle glitches, or features that may lack definition.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Tics consist of movements, such as eye blinking or shoulder shrugging, or vocalizations, such as throat clearing or brief sounds.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Are their lights blinking unusually or dark?
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
In short, the survey results paint a dire picture of the current state of the market, blinking warning signs that big tech companies are spreading themselves too thin by continuing to hemorrhage tens of billions of dollars each quarter.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 19 Feb. 2026
Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Why face the blank page and the blinking cursor?
—Charles Yu, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Just blasted off the line while everyone else stood there blinking.
—Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
In a matter of hours, modern conflict looked less like tanks and more like a blinking cursor.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Look for signs like inconsistent eye blinking, subtle glitches, or features that may lack definition.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Tics consist of movements, such as eye blinking or shoulder shrugging, or vocalizations, such as throat clearing or brief sounds.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Are their lights blinking unusually or dark?
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
In short, the survey results paint a dire picture of the current state of the market, blinking warning signs that big tech companies are spreading themselves too thin by continuing to hemorrhage tens of billions of dollars each quarter.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blinking
Verb
-
Stylistically, the album feels of a piece with the work of post-Earl MCs like MIKE or Navy Blue, delivering meditations over electro-funk loops resplendent with squelching synths, twinkling keys, and Jimmy Jam drums.—
Liam Inscoe-Jones,
Pitchfork,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Each year, Music Hall fills with twinkling lights, the sound of nostalgic carols and the joy of thousands of audience members at Holiday Pops.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And squinting is not necessary to see a vision for him.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
27 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Yet Guardiola has not made his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in history by succumbing to end-of-season pressure.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Hind's cousin was later killed in another close-range attack, while Hind died several hours later after succumbing to wounds while waiting for help.—
Alexander Durie,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Saxon sat at the plaintiff’s table, staring at a screen with no expression.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
-
After eight hours at work, staring at spreadsheets and sitting through meetings that should've been emails, my brain needs a complete reset.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The whole hall was dark, lit only by flashing green strobe lights from the stage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Speed cameras near Florida schools can issue $100 violations whether or not yellow warning lights are flashing — a rule that has caught many drivers off guard.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The deadline for submitting a bid for either of the two properties will be April 30.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
That scheme was carried out by submitting false and fraudulent applications for benefits under programs such as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and other unemployment insurance programs.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The images, which were taken in 2008 in Cape Town, South Africa, show Dion lounging on her back, gazing off into the distance, and enjoying the sun.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
-
And after a long day of trekking, there’s nothing so restorative as a dip in the opulent bathtub, fringed by bricks of pink salt from Pakistan, while gazing out at the Nilgiri glowing ethereally in the dusk.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If the power comes flickering on for a few precious hours in the middle of the night, that’s when Cubans now rise to wearily cook and iron clothes.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Three cars back, Borsutzki tracked the woman’s path, the woman flickering in and out of view between the trunks and branches of the hardwood trees.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blinking. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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