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
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
Black comedy is among the hardest tones to nail, and if there was a single knowing wink from the actors or even a soupçon of exaggeration in the execution, the whole thing could simply become too tiresomely antic to be actually funny. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 June 2026 The wink sealed the deal and the two spent more than 50 years as a couple, welcomed three children — Luke, Hannah, and Levi, who died in 2025 — and eventually grandchildren, who called him PoPo. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Verb
As the light catches the surface, an iridescent shimmer brings the pen to life, while hues of violet, blue, green, and silver flicker like winking stars. Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026 His drawling, winking charm is front and center, and his attraction to our heroine feels both genuine and even quite protective, but his violent streak is so blasé as to be unnerving. Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wink
Noun
  • Such simplicity is exactly why the bolster is so well-suited to Goldblum’s nap room.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026
  • Smart baby products can provide a hand, including by extending nap time with soothing noises and movement.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • And when Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte evened the score with a right footed shot from a difficult angle at the 59-minute mark, the stunned stadium went silent, minus two small spirited clots of Cape Verde fans in the East end zone seats.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Niehues fired home the rebound for the opening goal in the 36th minute.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • There’s a blinking red light in the top corner of your room, and that’s one of the cameras Ben uses to watch you.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 June 2026
  • If the stoplight is blinking red, stop completely and look both ways before continuing.
    Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • As the firework began to wane after well over a minute, zigzagging streaks of light spread into a canopy of twinkling flashes that resembled stars.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
  • The collection features shades of purple and lavender, symbolizing the signature twilight sky after the sun sets on those long summer days at the park and the fireworks begin, twinkling like pixie dust above the castle.
    Tiffany Chang, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • An acre of gleaming stainless steel and people in white lab coats busily believing this.
    Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • Manifest a championship victory with a gleaming chrome trophy manicure.
    Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Not only were the rules misapplied, according to an expert referee with years of elite experience, but similar plays during this tournament have been ignored.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • The report listed the probable cause of death as an abnormal heartbeat tied to an underlying condition, systemic sarcoidosis.
    Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • But after the video assistant referee urged him to watch a replay, Claus walked away from the monitor and flashed the red card.
    Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The partnership covers low-power DRAM (LPDRAM), NOR flash memory, and Universal Flash Storage (UFS) NAND products.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wink. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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