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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Sounds like there’s a big hole in the market (wink, wink, other denim brands). Eva Thomas, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026 Indiana coach Curt Cignetti gave a playful wink to reporters after answering a question about transfer quarterback Josh Hoover, who joined the reigning national champion Hoosiers from TCU this offseason. Antonio Morales, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Made in the earnest style of a disease-of-the-week television movie without ever tipping over into winking irony, the film is both funny and tender. Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026 The installation is a winking reference to the Turing test, the 1950 thought experiment about whether a machine can credibly imitate a person. Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wink
Noun
  • Morning naps were linked to about a 30% increase in mortality risk, and each additional hour of daily napping was associated with about a 13% higher risk, the study found.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Kirby said that an impromptu office nap is his trick to staying sharp over his decades-long career in business.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Anna Moorhouse The goalkeeper is getting regular minutes for Orlando Pride and also started in the 8-0 win over China in November, so seems Hampton’s backup.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Clutch scoring is defined as points that come in the final five minutes of a game where the point differential between teams is five or less.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Heidi did it in back-to-back months without even blinking.
    Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The lights offer eight modes, including seven blinking options and one steady setting.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Before a big night out or even just dinner with friends, lids twinkled, cheekbones caught the light from every angle, and lip gloss doubled as a mirror.
    Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Jumeirah is the closest beach to Downtown, and the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa still loom large, best viewed from the rooftop Mercury Lounge, with its Arabian archways framing the twinkling city.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Thirteen-year-old boys flashing smiles over their birthday cakes, gleaming with happiness in the buttery glow of the candles.
    Jesmyn Ward, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
  • With just some warm water, dish soap and a little patience, your window screens can go from grimy to gleaming in an afternoon.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Don’t ignore it or joke past it.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The pope ignoring atrocities The papal mission appears to have overlooked a visit to Nigeria.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • One of the challenges of this new novel was matching its heartbeat to the rhythm of the islands.
    Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • And in this new quiet, his heartbeat seemed broadcast in stereo.
    Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His yearning for Ruben’s approval and fear of his own desires are so acute that, when the show flashes forward to Niall’s wedding again, one half expects to see a woman waiting at the altar.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Scouts reportedly raved about his mobility, which flashed most obviously in pass protection.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wink. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on wink

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster