winked

Definition of winkednext
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 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 Farther up, on Observatory Hill, tall cryptomeria trees were silhouetted in the darkening evening, and down in the valleys, lights winked on like reflections of the planets and stars appearing in the sky. Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025 The last ember of Rope A winked out. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 28 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
  • Trump has blinked many times in the confrontation with Iran—ever since March 18, when Israel attacked the Pars gas field and Iran retaliated with a strike against Qatar’s most important natural-gas-production facility.
    Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
  • The Nuggets stared into the eyes of a pack of Wolves, and blinked.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 May 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
  • The 4,202-pipe organ gleamed over us.
    Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
  • His jaw tightened as beads of sweat gleamed on his forehead.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Leah Sylvis said Maluchnik ignored many of her emails about the need to have a discussion district having too few school psychologists.
    Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 4 June 2026
  • What those changes are — and who should bear the brunt of them — is a complicated and largely ignored debate happening right now.
    Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • Pok squinted against his bedroom's harsh, swinging light.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Dressed in periwinkle, Annie took off her shoes in front of the sunflowers, sat down, squinted into the sunlight and smiled.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the distance, low clouds hung and lightning flashed.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
  • And Ursula tried to block them out, but the lights still flashed inside her eyelids.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Beaded coats glinted with star-chart embroidery.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As Miz went in for the kill on the top ropes, the lights flickered as Miz stumbled.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026
  • Thanks to the film, that form has flickered in the minds of tourists from around the world for half a century.
    Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Winked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winked. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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