tinkles 1 of 2

Definition of tinklesnext
plural of tinkle
as in rattles
a series of short high ringing sounds the soothing tinkle of the wind chime on the back porch

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tinkles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of tinkle
as in clinks
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 tinkles
Noun
Roberts doesn’t offer much empathy for the poor, diseased critter other than a pause when Ben momentarily ponders his reflection in a pool as Adrian Johnston’s eerie synth-piano score tinkles. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026 Sometimes, in the deep winter quiet, a piano tinkles in Kelley’s Saloon, and the spirits dance to ghostly music. Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 16 Oct. 2025 From the moment that Jerry Goldsmith’s piano tinkles caress the opening bars of his score while stars float past the frame, anyone with a soul knows that this is not your average IP cash-in. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinkles
Noun
  • If your current carry-on rattles, tips, or barely survives a weekend away, consider this your sign.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Silver engraving, masks, totem poles, rattles, prints.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 16 Dec. 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
Noun
  • As the car carrying him departed the police station, a photographer captured another indelible image, of the former Prince slumped in the back seat, wide-eyed and slack-jawed—the boy for whom the chimes once pealed looking very much like a man for whom the bell now tolls.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
  • May your sounds, your chimes, your silence calm us.
    Paul Jones, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Cala Pregonda, Menorca Just an island over from the tourist-trodden Mallorca, Menorca feels a world away—a sentiment that rings even more true in the north of the island.
    Catherine Tansey, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Both funny and deeply powerful, The Big Sick shows the reality of romance with a heartfelt love story that rings true.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Not the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordination (or the New England Patriots’ lack thereof), mind you, but all those annoyingly catchy commercial jingles.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026
  • In the years following his appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Puth worked for DeGeneres' eleveneleven label, released a couple of promotional singles, and collaborated on other music, including jingles and theme songs for YouTube personalities.
    Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 8 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tinkles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinkles. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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