wink 1 of 2

Definition of winknext
1
as in nap
a short sleep I wasn't able to catch a wink during the entire flight

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2

wink

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to blink
to rapidly open and close one's eyes she winked several times to get the dust and grit out of her eyes

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2
as in to twinkle
to shine with light at regular intervals a lighthouse was winking in the distance

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3
4
as in to ignore
to secretly sympathize with or pretend ignorance of something improper or unlawful the whole sporting world seems to wink as untold sums are bet on the outcome of the Super Bowl

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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 wink
Noun
Better yet, they were delivered with a wink from Jim's eye and the cackle of his great laugh. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026 The restaurant’s approach to consistency comes with a wink. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2026
Verb
Mainly hinged on wood and metal elements, the interior concept of the store also features bespoke details subtly nodding to Milan, like the wooden panels marking the undulated ceiling and winking to the Duomo cathedral’s pinnacles. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025 The surreal result is a representation of a chronological inbox that has Quora and Flipboard email blasts interspersed with exchanges with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and winking emails to Steve Bannon. Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wink
Noun
  • At 35 years old, Beau is the longest-serving groundhog in Georgia, far older than the average wild groundhog, and enjoys a life of naps, digging tunnels, and indulging in hashbrowns in his mansion, Weathering Heights.
    CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
  • This menu deserves its own post-nosh nap.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Most health authorities recommend that adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week and at least two days per week of muscle-strengthening activities.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Miles and Marta Suarez scored 15 points each and Donovyn Hunter, whose three-pointer had tied it at 55 in the final minute, added 11 points for TCU (20-3, 8-2).
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • By 2025, those places blinked out like starlight.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • By labeling neurons with fluorescent proteins, each neural impulse appears as a tiny flash of light—like stars blinking in the dark.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 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
Verb
  • The square arch door opened to gleaming black marble floors reflecting golden lanterns and plush seats.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • With the farm suddenly unsustainable, there’s nothing for it but to pack up and seek work in Pristina, where Hatixhe’s sister Lina (Fiona Gllavica) lives a comfortable nouveau riche life in a large, gleaming new-build home courtesy of her entrepreneur husband Alban (Alban Ukaj).
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This framing effectively provides a rationale for ignoring officers’ commands during field encounters.
    Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Fedorov, the new defense minister, acknowledges the scale of the problem, telling the Ukrainian parliament some 2 million people are ignoring their call-up papers, while 200,000 others have deserted.
    Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But at the top, with clear views of a seemingly endless horizon, Egorov told Outside that the effort was worth every heartbeat.
    Outside, Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
  • For those who monitor their caffeine intake due to health conditions, are pregnant, or have sensitivity to caffeine, consuming caffeine can cause side effects such as jitters, rapid heartbeat, or sleep disruption, per Newsweek.
    Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • His face seemed to flash through colors, his cheeks rouged, then went pink, then yellow.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wink. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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