as in glancing
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1
as in squinting
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 twinkling
to shine with light at regular intervals
a lighthouse was winking in the distance
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in gleaming
to shoot forth bursts of light
fireflies winking in the darkness beyond our campfire
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in ignoring
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
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Recent Examples of winking
John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
Either way, Sally and Craig both seem to confirm it, winking and nodding their way to acknowledging that something went down between them sometime in the recent past.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Mainly hinged on wood and metal elements, the interior concept of the store also features bespoke details subtly nodding to Milan, like the wooden panels marking the undulated ceiling and winking to the Duomo cathedral’s pinnacles.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
The surreal result is a representation of a chronological inbox that has Quora and Flipboard email blasts interspersed with exchanges with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and winking emails to Steve Bannon.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
James later shared the ad on social media with winking and tongue-sticking-out emojis; much of his audience, however, was not so amused, and one lifelong fan even sued.
—Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Camera flashes burst against the walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, framing Blade Runner–esque vistas of the flickering skyline, a winking reminder that New York City is always wide awake.
—Alex Catarinella, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Scruffy City is a moniker the place holds with equal parts pride and winking good humor.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Ortega's inclusion in the film is itself a piece of meta-winking.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
Maybe there’s some wink-winking, nudge-nudging going on, with one side or the other assuming an unspoken deal has been cut.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
Either way, Sally and Craig both seem to confirm it, winking and nodding their way to acknowledging that something went down between them sometime in the recent past.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Mainly hinged on wood and metal elements, the interior concept of the store also features bespoke details subtly nodding to Milan, like the wooden panels marking the undulated ceiling and winking to the Duomo cathedral’s pinnacles.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
The surreal result is a representation of a chronological inbox that has Quora and Flipboard email blasts interspersed with exchanges with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and winking emails to Steve Bannon.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
James later shared the ad on social media with winking and tongue-sticking-out emojis; much of his audience, however, was not so amused, and one lifelong fan even sued.
—Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Camera flashes burst against the walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, framing Blade Runner–esque vistas of the flickering skyline, a winking reminder that New York City is always wide awake.
—Alex Catarinella, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Scruffy City is a moniker the place holds with equal parts pride and winking good humor.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Ortega's inclusion in the film is itself a piece of meta-winking.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winking
Adjective
-
Glaser, from a very glancing stylistic consideration, looks like a multicam by comparison.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Aug. 2024
-
Even so, Joonam is too scattershot and distanced from culture and politics to resonate with the news — potentially the film’s greatest draw — in more than a glancing way.—
Caryn James,
The Hollywood Reporter,
22 Jan. 2023
Verb
-
The mother-son duo posed for photos, with Valentino adorably squinting from the bright lights of the cameras.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
When the result was announced, boos echoed through the venue, and Aspinall, still squinting and visibly frustrated, made his feelings clear during his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Edge down to its sister hotel, Belmond Villa San’t Andrea, for a country club-style beach set-up and twinkling views of Naxos Bay.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Each December, cities around Europe transform into twinkling holiday spectaculars, hosting Christmas markets and general cheer, where the hot cocoa flows like a river.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Our limo arrived at the hotel in a gleaming streak of silver gorgeousness.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Besides the gleaming blue hull, the 60-footer has an open layout that encourages sociability while promoting privacy in areas like the sunbed at the stern or foredeck lounge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Alyssa Farah Griffin attempted to cut in, with Navarro ignoring her in the moment.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
James said the administration has not provided evidence of fraud or misuse of child care funding in New York, while ignoring the standard processes for withholding such funds.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Its primary food source is the winter firefly (Diaphanes lampyroides), which attracts mates with a continuous, non-flashing light.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The trend, Morales said, should come as a giant, blinking warning sign for Republicans, who ran in 2024 on promises to decrease inflation and improve the cost of living for everyday Americans.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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The costume was designed by veteran costume and puppet designer Tahra Zafar and, of course, includes Paddington’s trademark blue duffel coat and red hat, as well as mechanics that enable facial expressions like blinking.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Shooting stars also recur throughout the exhibition, flickering as symbols of aspiration and impermanence.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Jay Harris, who has followed them into the AFCON quarter-finals this weekend, went back to research the story behind flickering footage of the charismatic forward — then a year or so into his career at Chelsea — pleading for a cease in hostilities.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winking. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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