tinkle 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The water fountains are trickling; wind chimes tinkle and shimmer in the breeze, and the store’s seemingly endless lines of indoor and outdoor décor are available to celebrate each season and occasion. Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025 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
Verb
Accordingly, recognisable Western archetypes abound, from the saloon bar serving pungent shots of whiskey to the tinkling accompaniment of Scott Joplin, to the majority of the characters themselves. Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026 The marbled, frescoed, octagonal room was domed to amplify the sound of a tinkling keys at the center, and hosted regular recitals. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinkle
Noun
  • Pygmy Rattlesnakes are small and colorful, around 15 to 20 inches in length, with a vertical pupil, thin tail, and tiny rattle.
    Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 3 June 2026
  • Elsewhere in the snippet of the music video, Latto could be seen walking around a white crib and viewing a scrapbook featuring a page with a rattle and dummy and a positive ClearBlue pregnancy test placed on top.
    Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Ulloa stood up and clinked his glass to quiet the group.
    Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 2 June 2026
  • Family restaurant history While Kansas Citians clink wine glasses across the table at Grunauer, halfway around the world, patrons drink at a restaurant of the same name.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • People look up at it, then go back to their meals and conversations, as if momentarily distracted by the clitter-clatter of an errant fork.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • Saws buzz, trucks beep, and hammers clatter.
    Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • The Household Cavalry, on dark horses and with brightly shining breastplates, trotted past, jingling like a cutlery drawer.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
  • The hiker then begins jingling bells in the bear's face in an attempt to scare it off, but the bear charges forward.
    Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
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
  • During summers in small towns across America, air sirens will periodically ring out to signal all manner of things.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 June 2026
  • The phone wouldn't stop ringing for WEEKS.
    Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinkle. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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