tinkle 1 of 2

as in rattle
a series of short high ringing sounds the soothing tinkle of the wind chime on the back porch

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tinkle

2 of 2

verb

as in to clink
to make a repeated sharp light ringing sound the bell around the cat's neck tinkled as he ran across the yard

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tinkle
Noun
Now, new research suggests urination may function in a similar way: Captive chimpanzees that saw their peers peeing were more likely to take a tinkle themselves. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Jan. 2025 The door chime at their floral and gift shop tinkles every few minutes as another customer and friend comes in to collect their $10 bows. Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024
Verb
The herds are decked out in crowns of flowers, and the air will be noisy, full of tinkling bells as the cattle trudge down from the higher Alpine pastures to the lower stretches of greenery in and around this town. AFAR Media, 4 Aug. 2025 The sound of the water tinkling on the fountain’s bronze statues makes my heart flutter. Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinkle
Noun
  • Cutlery, rattles and cups are among the most popular choices as keepsake gifts for newborns.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • This siren’s song arises from the murmur of doves on an Arizona stock tank and the rattle of Indiana cornstalks.
    Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Each robot, remotely operated, clinks glasses and gestures in unison, embodying the camaraderie and hope of the musical’s revolutionaries.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Their table was conspicuously positioned near the restaurant’s front windows, offering onlookers a clear view of the three billionaires clinking glasses and linking arms for a toast.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With no wheels touching the rails, the usual clatter and vibration of trains disappear.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
  • In an era where fingertips skim glass screens and keyboards clatter in relentless rhythm, the act of putting pen to paper feels almost radical.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Here are a few money moves to make now.. With balls that jingle and bases that beep, these blind baseball players aim for Olympic gold and leave their sense of limitation in the dugout.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Tuesday’s clips played on that history, with the person behind the camera catching Carey at various points throughout her day, with the expectation of hearing that Christmastime jingle.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Cloudy chords, meditative tintinnabulation, the whoosh of wind and rain, blocks of iridescent brass — all these discrete sonorities trundled by, like a train of boxcars with panoramas painted on their sides.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Shivaree, chthonian, erumpent, tintinnabulation, exonumia, requiescat, deipnosophist, omphaloskepsis, horripilation, deliquesce, apopemptic.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2021
Verb
  • These sentiments ring true in the down alternative travel pillow too.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Just days into open enrollment, alarm bells are ringing over the impact of these staggering premium hikes.
    David Merritt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinkle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.

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