as in minutes
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
1
2
as in gleams
to shoot forth bursts of light
stars twinkling on a crisp September night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of twinkles
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
Perch yourself in the Hollywood Hills and watch as the city twinkles below at night.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 23 Sep. 2025
The interior twinkles with four million pearlescent Swarovski crystal beads that hang from the ceiling, a nod to Qatar’s pearl-diving heritage.
—Nicola Chilton, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2022
Noun
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
Perch yourself in the Hollywood Hills and watch as the city twinkles below at night.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 23 Sep. 2025
The interior twinkles with four million pearlescent Swarovski crystal beads that hang from the ceiling, a nod to Qatar’s pearl-diving heritage.
—Nicola Chilton, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twinkles
Noun
-
Las Vegas, as one example, overhauled its room by agreeing to major deals with Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker in a matter of mid-afternoon minutes.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
-
There’s also the Downtown Mall, a walkable promenade lined with local boutiques, independent bookstores, and restaurants that encourage long afternoon hangs (the outdoor patio at Tilman’s is a local go-to, as is Smyrna just a few minutes walk away).—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Durbin flashes leather If Thursday was any indication, the Red Sox will be in good hands if Alex Cora decides to roll with Caleb Durbin as the club’s starting second baseman.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Your Roomba emits a chime and flashes its indicator ring or a Wi-Fi symbol.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
-
Find your pulse and count 20 heartbeats.—
Vicki Glembocki,
Parents,
1 Mar. 2026
-
That grandiosity simmers down into terrifying chase soundtracks and menacing hunter's heartbeats as the movie continues, but the after-image of those glorious strings lingers through the rest of the franchise.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tory’s expression flickers, then settles.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Curiosity flickers across his face when his submissive surprises him.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Soft breezes ripple through the sea grapes, and sunlight glints off the aquamarine shallows that surround Bahia Honda State Park.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Tommy Novak scored 17 seconds into overtime to complete a wild comeback in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-4 victory over the Boston Bruins on Sunday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Smart led that effort with a game-high plus-27 in 29 minutes and 17 seconds.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the doc Margolyes sparkles when in company, whether that be royalty, celeb, or Director Simon.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The hotel sparkles like a gem set in an island paradise.—
José Cantillo Ferrer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Twinkles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twinkles. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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