TWINKLE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

twinkle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of twinkle

as in minute

a very small space of time in just a twinkle, the shooting star was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

twinkle

2 of 2

verb

ˈtwiŋ-kəl

as in to flash

to shine with light at regular intervals holiday decorations twinkled in the shop windows

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Kutsuna has an impish twinkle; Yamada mutely swans about in a daze like an opium fiend. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 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

Verb

The route is made extra special during the winter holidays with twinkling lights, dangling ornaments and sightings of Father Solstice passing by on his own train. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026 That night, rather than looking at the twinkling wind instruments on the stage, he was captivated by the view of the father and daughter in front of him. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for twinkle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for twinkle

Noun

But the 33-minute album is overlaid with sugary melodies that feel monochromatic.

— Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
At a cruising speed of around 200 km/h, its flight time can reach approximately 17 minutes.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of minute

Verb

After Karol and her guests left the stage, giant screens on either side of the stage flashed videos from fans taking part in the song’s viral TikTok dance trend.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026
And that economic risk could come at a time when warning lights are already flashing.

— Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of flash

Verb

In the gleaming lobby, the brand’s signature scent—a warm and woody fragrance reminiscent of two of my favorites, Comme des Garçons’ Wonderwood and Odin New York’s 07 Tanoke—greeted me.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Dresses based on the domestic adornment were piped in leather, while a gleaming gold dress was laser-cut with the decorative pattern.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of gleam

Noun

With each heartbeat, the amount of blood flowing through the vessels in your wrist changes.

— Jason Kostrna, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026
After researching her options and speaking with her doctors, Hills eventually underwent a surgical procedure to treat her irregular heartbeat.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of heartbeat

Verb

To be fair, Snyder, who’s also credited as the film’s cinematographer, captures no shortage of admittedly stirring images throughout, especially those involving flickering light and brooding shadows.

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
The stadium lights flickered off, and both teams stood awkwardly as officials huddled at the 20-yard line.

— David Ubben, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of flicker

Verb

Auroras blaze on the lefthand side of the photo, and star trails sparkle across the blackness of space in the distance.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Indeed, in her devotion to sparkle, Pechman declines to probe too deeply into any of the industry’s more hurtful or exploitative dimensions.

— Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of sparkle

Noun

But the Knights didn’t take long to respond in the second half, as Watson took a handoff and raced 64 yards unfettered for his second touchdown of the game, giving UCF a 27-24 lead eight seconds into the third quarter.

— Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Northwestern got on the board first when Chiles scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 43 seconds to play in the first quarter.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of second

Verb

Researchers at the wild cat center weren't able to document him on camera again until the summer of 2025, when a camera trap turned up a shadowy picture of the jaguar, his eyes glinting in the camera’s light.

— Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2026
The placement feels resonant, since Boorman was always operating between poles of glinting victory and laughable failure.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of glint

Browse Nearby Words

twining

twinkle

twinkled

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Style

“Twinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twinkle. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of twinkle

noun

verb

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