TWINKLES Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

twinkles 1 of 2

noun

plural of twinkle

as in minutes

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

twinkles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of twinkle

as in flashes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in gleams

to shoot forth bursts of light stars twinkling on a crisp September night

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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 twinkles

Noun

Perch yourself in the Hollywood Hills and watch as the city twinkles below at night. — Kristin Braswell, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2026 In the evening, the whole place twinkles from the lights of a hundred lanterns and flares, which also serve to keep away mosquitoes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 But, there will be progress, if not twinkles of excitement. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026 Death twinkles in this landscape like mineral sand. — Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026 Downtown, the Plaza twinkles with thousands of string lights. — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025 This Lowcountry gem nestled on Port Royal Island is magical year-round, but at Christmas, Beaufort’s glow twinkles even brighter. — Stephanie Hunt, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for twinkles

Noun

The duration of totality will peak at 6 minutes and 23 seconds near Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes, the pharaohs’ capital, in Egypt.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.

— Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of minutes

Verb

As Robert Spillane works through a quiet camp, fellow inside linebacker Christian Elliss flashes again and again, this time in coverage during 7-on-7s with a pass breakup.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
Danny Trejo flashes a smile at San Diego’s Comic-Con International on July 25.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

Definition of flashes

Verb

Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.

— Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Despite a couple of funky skips, the album is fueled by the hunger of an artist who really wants the pop life again, perking up electro-scuzz and arena rock with new wave that gleams like glitter.

— Pitchfork, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2025

Definition of gleams

Verb

On another monitor, a dashboard that resembles the menu screen of a flight simulator flickers to life — only this is no simulation.

— Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
But in the final scene, when Sam goes to the bathroom to change the bandage on his forehead, the mirror flickers with static at his reflection.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026

Definition of flickers

Verb

The air is perfectly warm, the sunshine glints on the water, happy people pass by and wave.

— Kristy Woodson Harvey, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
That, from time to time, during his endless task, the sun glints across the rock’s face in a way that reminds him that there were good times, or at least different times.

— Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 12 May 2026

Definition of glints

Noun

The moon's shadow will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic, Spain, and Portugal, offering up to 2 minutes 18 seconds of totality.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
There was the guy Daemon stabbed through the ear, and then the smelly killers Gwayne sniffed out, and now Ser Adrian, who took a knife to the throat within seconds of seeing Aemond.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of seconds

Verb

This episode sparkles in part thanks to guest stars like Seth Rogen, Fred Savage, and even Fox executive Peter Chernin being willing to poke fun at themselves.

— Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026
Shakira sparkles during her World Cup halftime show performance in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.

— Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Definition of sparkles

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Style

“Twinkles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twinkles. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of twinkles

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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