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 Mesh styles made a return in pointy-toe kitten-heel pumps in neutral colors while the Babouche design was reinterpreted in a python print or black satin that winked also to comfy red carpet moments. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 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 Evelyn took his hand, smiled and winked her green eyes at him. Literary Hub, 17 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winked
Verb
  • Yamamoto has rarely blinked since.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • His son stirred, half asleep, and blinked up at Khaled’s unfamiliar face.
    Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • My astrologer’s eyes twinkled with infuriating delight.
    Jessie Rosen, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Finn’s eyes, wide and wonderful, twinkled under the Mile High moonlight as the young girl took the stage for the first time.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An abundance of kitschy wall decorations (fuzzy dice, fake flowers, party streamers) gleamed under flashing lights, casting the room in lurid shades of pink and green.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Using Essie’s Good as Gold layered with Lights Lacquer glitter, the team achieved nails that gleamed like jewelry.
    Essence, Essence, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In a separate statement to Whittier Daily News, Rowley claimed that the city had ignored complaints about upraised sidewalks caused by tree roots for years, and stated the city had not implemented adequate inspection protocols.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Kim Kardashian's refusal to watch Fatal Attraction is not going to be ignored by Kris Jenner, thank you very much!
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Babycatcher looked up at the sky and squinted.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With his head secured in an orange brace, Tanev flashed a brief thumbs-up as he was carried off the ice.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • As the lights came up, the Fort Worth theater erupted with applause as the duo’s name flashed across the credits.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Chalk dust glinted like pollen or asbestos in the sunshine coming through the window.
    Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Pans, scoured, hung from hooks; knives glinted in ascending size.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ten minutes later — now 200 feet deeper into the cave — Tim's light began to dim and then flickered out.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • If the flame flickered or bent, air movement was present, indicating a draft.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Winked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winked. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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