as in minute
a very small space of time
in a twinkling, the rabbit had disappeared
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in gleaming
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in flashing
to shine with light at regular intervals
holiday decorations twinkled in the shop windows
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in glinting
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 twinkling
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The stars are twinkling down at them, adding cool light to the 91-degree heat.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
The post-holiday cleanup often comes with the familiar temptation to shove all the tinsel and twinkling lights into the closest available box and, as quickly as possible, close the attic door on it all until next December.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026
After the twinkling lights of the holiday season have been packed away, winter can feel downright dull and desolate, especially for families with energetic kids trapped inside by the cold.
—Erica Jackson Curran, Parents, 11 Jan. 2026
Edge down to its sister hotel, Belmond Villa San’t Andrea, for a country club-style beach set-up and twinkling views of Naxos Bay.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Each December, cities around Europe transform into twinkling holiday spectaculars, hosting Christmas markets and general cheer, where the hot cocoa flows like a river.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
The family settled on a quiet residential street of older homes and multifamily buildings, some front porches festooned with pride flags still twinkling with holiday lights.
—Michael Biesecker, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
The family settled on a quiet residential street of older homes and multifamily buildings, some front porches festooned with pride flags still twinkling with holiday lights.
—Michael Biesecker, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The team Pep Guardiola built in the early 2010s, combining the wonderful passing of Xavi Hernandez and Andrés Iniesta with the twinkling magic of Lionel Messi, will forever be remembered.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The stars are twinkling down at them, adding cool light to the 91-degree heat.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
The post-holiday cleanup often comes with the familiar temptation to shove all the tinsel and twinkling lights into the closest available box and, as quickly as possible, close the attic door on it all until next December.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026
After the twinkling lights of the holiday season have been packed away, winter can feel downright dull and desolate, especially for families with energetic kids trapped inside by the cold.
—Erica Jackson Curran, Parents, 11 Jan. 2026
Edge down to its sister hotel, Belmond Villa San’t Andrea, for a country club-style beach set-up and twinkling views of Naxos Bay.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Each December, cities around Europe transform into twinkling holiday spectaculars, hosting Christmas markets and general cheer, where the hot cocoa flows like a river.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
The family settled on a quiet residential street of older homes and multifamily buildings, some front porches festooned with pride flags still twinkling with holiday lights.
—Michael Biesecker, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
The family settled on a quiet residential street of older homes and multifamily buildings, some front porches festooned with pride flags still twinkling with holiday lights.
—Michael Biesecker, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twinkling
Noun
-
The company also says the battery can charge in under 10 minutes and last 100,000 cycles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
-
United kept Chelsea at bay until substitute Kerr scored in the 78th minute, only for United’s Simi Awujo to equalise three minutes later and force extra time.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Under his meticulous care, the gleaming red sports car has been souped up to generate 400-horsepower turbo performance, but retains much of the original features and feel.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The trailer features stunning images of the massive gleaming white cube that was the centerpiece of the staging and Instagram-worthy shots of the pryo and special effects that made the tour a must-see for fans.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Mobility-accessible rooms come with roll-in showers, flashing door knockers, and hearing kits, among other thoughtful amenities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Be especially cautious in school zones and watch for children and the flashing lights of school buses.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Something always seems to be lurking in the periphery, glinting off the edges of mirrors, flickering across those black wings offstage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
At first glance, Glass Mountain looks out of place—an irregular, pale, 15-foot mound glinting in the sunlight, as if someone dumped a pile of shiny shards in the middle of the desert.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
For the better part of the last decade, MV Agusta’s heartbeat has been three cylinders wide.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The heartbeat slowed, proving that the heart rate is chemically governed.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The garlic bread is presented as a glistening round of spelt schiacciata gushing with butter, garlic and parsley.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The reimagining of Chula Vista’s shoreline continues as the Port of San Diego prepares to introduce new public amenities designed to enhance the waterfront expanse opposite the glistening Gaylord resort.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Can flickering lights and sound slow Alzheimer’s?—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Taper candles can add interest to a dining table, and votives can create flickering light on a patio.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
On her head sat the Spencer tiara, a glittering family heirloom.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The resort boasts some of the best views on the continent, as the mountain looks over Lago Nahuel Huapi, providing a glittering lake backdrop to almost every run.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Twinkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twinkling. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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