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
The Boston police, the politicians claim, must defer to the courts wink wink nudge nudge. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026 Their sly and winning songwriting deftly embraced more than a wink-wink, nudge-nudge of shrewd parody and unabashed social incorrectness. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
Another two-bedroom co-op, which also happens to be within winking distance of one of the best coffee shops in the neighborhood. Katie McDonough, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026 But Verbinski juices it up with some cool menace in snake-like cables and a vicious army of robotic toys, which might be the director’s winking homage to Barbarella. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wink
Noun
  • Afternoon naps and caffeine as well as evening light from phones and other electronic devices can make adjusting to an earlier bedtime even harder.
    Lauran Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Afternoon naps and caffeine as well as evening light from phones and other electronic devices can make adjusting to an earlier bedtime even harder.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In any case, it's been a minute.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
  • With five minutes to play in the first half, Brandeis commit Javi Lopez sank a triple himself as the Raiders took a 23-18 lead.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Dressed in a cobalt blue Catherine Walker coatdress, the Princess of Wales had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment with a royal photographer that largely flew under the radar.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
  • But spotting when a star blinks for a fraction of a second as an asteroid passes in front of it from our perspective on Earth is incredibly challenging.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As the crowd filed in, DJs Doppelganger Paris—identical twins Brice and Régis Abby—were already on the decks, accompanied by Grammy-winning pianist Brian Kennedy, the city lights twinkling behind them.
    Rachel Marlowe, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Greer, South Carolina Located in upstate South Carolina with a population hovering around 50,000, Greer has maintained a small-town atmosphere with a revitalized downtown area, easy pedestrian access, and attractive twinkling lights.
    Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The gleaming rototiller that promises to do the hard work for you.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The then-88-year-old building was shuttered in December 2002 when the gleaming $623 million, 464-bed John Stroger Hospital replaced it.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Atlanta's plan to protect human rights during the 2026 FIFA World Cup is facing criticism from a coalition of community organizations that say the city ignored their input while developing the framework.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Netflix has largely ignored the format that dominates the phone of anyone under 35.
    Max Cutler, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The technology uses electrical pulses to directly treat the heart tissue that causes the irregular heartbeat.
    Tracy Yochum, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Consuming more than 350 milligrams of supplemental magnesium can lead to magnesium toxicity, which can cause symptoms including low blood pressure, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing and cardiac arrest.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Bessent flashed his yellow light about letting the industry into retirement plans at a time of fresh challenges for firms that deal in both private credit and equity.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
  • On large stages, the leading minds in the technology world have the conversations often lost among the flashing neon lights and interactive plasma screens.
    Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wink. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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