twinkle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of twinklenext
as in minute
a very small space of time in just a twinkle, the shooting star was gone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

twinkle

2 of 2

verb

ˈtwiŋ-kəl How to pronounce twinkle (audio)
1
as in to flash
to shine with light at regular intervals holiday decorations twinkled in the shop windows

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light stars twinkling on a crisp September night

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 twinkle
Noun
Thwarted by England’s tenacity and gregariousness, the twinkle-toed talisman and his team were staring down the barrel of a World Cup exit. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 Even before the show was a yellow twinkle in the eye, Doyle was already preparing for the role. — Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, families have front-row seats to a special show at night—the twinkling lights of ships passing through the Panama Canal on the horizon. — Gina Kramer, USA Today, 25 July 2026 In December, wreaths and twinkling lights transform the inn into a New England fantasy. — Air Mail, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for twinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twinkle
  1. minute
  2. flash
  3. gleam
  4. heartbeat
  5. flicker
  6. sparkle
  7. second
  8. glint
Noun
  • Chen popped in a 30-foot 3-pointer with a minute remaining to give the Valkyries a three-point lead, and then kept the advantage at three with a slick layup over a contest after Chicago scored.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Less than a 10-minute drive away is Castellammare del Golfo, full of eateries, stores, and bars.
    — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of minute
Verb
  • With Clark next to him in the 3-4 scheme, Williams flashed his strength and short-area quickness from the defensive interior each day in practice while battling against Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Tottenham, repressed for so long in their spending and ambition, are suddenly flashing the cash like a slot machine, dropping £237million ($324m) already.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of flash
Verb
  • Among the rows of gleaming cars was a 1972 Chevy El Camino in Aztec gold, shown by owner Bob Barnes of Highland Park.
    — Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In front of the Jabara family, the turquoise waters of Torch Lake gleamed alluringly in the July heat.
    — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • Three years ago, FSU was undefeated, Travis was its heartbeat and Norvell appeared to have resurrected one of college football’s great empires.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For his, Connor chose a copy of Grant’s heartbeat from the hospital.
    — Susan Young, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of heartbeat
Verb
  • This set comes with three plastic flameless candles designed with a black wick and a flickering flame for a realistic-looking, warm glow.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The noise came after the lights at her grandmother's house flickered three times, and then shut off completely.
    — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of flicker
Verb
  • All that is chilly enough, except the okroshka at Elena’s is also served in a sparkling bowl made of solid ice.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And when the sun is shining, that also means the water’s sparkling, sailboats are bobbing, and seagulls are cawing.
    — Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparkle
Noun
  • The crucial testimony centered on exactly what happened during the final few seconds of Cantu’s life.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Mostly, the cast comes across as a group of friends and co-workers trying to produce comedy together, while fully aware that winning Game Changer just means getting two seconds of celebration and a gag prize.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of second
Verb
  • Water rushes past, glinting silver in the light of the sun, just risen above the mountains that ring the bay.
    — Jonathan Wiggin, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The glinting metal of the Devil’s watch chain flashed in her mind, his hair and his teeth.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of glint

Browse Nearby Words

twining
twinkle
twinkled
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Cite this Entry

“Twinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twinkle. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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