winked

past tense of wink
1
as in blinked
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

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2
3
4
as in ignored
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 winked The Baronessa winked and stated that the princess was an inspiration to others. Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 Ten hours later, its transponder winked back into life due north of Abu Dhabi, heading for Bahrain. Priyanjana Bengani, Bloomberg, 7 Mar. 2026 Sartorial outerwear crafted from archival fabrics mingled with pieces that winked to utility and workwear, with a few styles looking to balance these two souls in a single design, such as double wool hooded capes and coats. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026 Stayton then reportedly winked and told the protester they'd be charged with a felony. Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025 The last ember of Rope A winked out. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 With both drugs, the alignment of brain waves shifted in similar ways as the animals’ consciousness waned and then winked out. Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025 Dangling like Christmas ornaments, the aluminum plates winked in the sun, evoking Yuletide in the depths of July. Monitor Contributors, Christian Science Monitor, 11 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winked
Verb
  • While the sign has previously blinked one side at a time, appearing to rotate clockwise, Rand does not plan to have the lights blink moving forward.
    Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Birdie blinked slowly to clear her eyes, then carefully pressed the cold metal of the knife against her cheek.
    Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 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
  • Animated pixie dust twinkled on the screen, courtesy of the fairy, Tinker Bell.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In front of the Jabara family, the turquoise waters of Torch Lake gleamed alluringly in the July heat.
    Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Further details can only be gleamed from the photos, but what’s plain to see is that the shoe shares much of the same shape as the LeBron 23.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • However its advice was ignored, journalist Ralph Vartabedian revealed in a 2022 article for the New York Times.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Dershowitz has said the rift continued after that encounter, telling The Atlantic that David no longer speaks to him and has ignored him during subsequent encounters.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • McNutt said as Murray squinted down at the stands and zoomed in to catch a photo of the pop superstar for his wife.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
  • Pok squinted against his bedroom's harsh, swinging light.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Their rookie class flashed a lot of potential for the second consecutive week.
    Jesse Newell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The Rays also flashed some of their typically dazzling defense, with right fielder Jonny DeLuca making a pair of highlight-worthy catches.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After spending some time by the pool, a semi-Olympic lined with emerald and malachite mosaics that glinted in the soft, ambient light, followed by a quick trip to the sauna, I was escorted to my treatment room, about a half-flight of stairs up, where I was met by Marcia, my therapist.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • The silver Chrysler Sebring glinted when the sun kissed the parking lot in Temple, Texas, sitting by its lonesome.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Inexplicably, the lights flickered during the groom-mother dance.
    Anna Raskind, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • While lights flickered, music blared and fans cheered, the goal was ruled off; Harris was initially deemed offside.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Winked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winked. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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