1
as in twinkling
to shine with light at regular intervals
she loves to sit in the dark and watch the lights on the Christmas tree blink in ever-changing patterns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in squinting
to rapidly open and close one's eyes
I blinked for a few seconds after the camera flashed
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in succumbing
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)
for two days the nations stood on the brink of war, until one finally blinked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in staring
to look long and hard in wonder or surprise
stood blinking at the ridiculous scene before him in utter disbelief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blinking
Mounted atop the temporary wall were two sets of traffic lights, a pair of side-by-side green lights (currently off) and a set of red lights, now blinking.
—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
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
Following up on their brilliant 4-1 win over Paraguay a week ago would always be a tall task, but the Americans looked strong in the opening 45 minutes against the Aussies – though there remain some blinking warning signs about the Stars and Stripes’ defense.
—
David Close,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
The royal, who was seen repeatedly blinking before jolting awake, was attending the annual ANZAC Day service at London's Westminster Abbey, which is held to commemorate Commonwealth soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and Canada who served and died in wars and peacekeeping operations.
—
Jennifer Hassan,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Most of them turned off, some blinking erratically and in need of a reset.
—
Joseph Trinidad,
Longreads,
16 June 2026
The webcams assessed user breaks, eye gaze and blinking, and delivered personalized reminders based on the 20-20-20 rule.
—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2026
Fascism lives in the upside-down; professional gaslighting features heavily amongst its weaponry, along with the blinking philistinism of the soulless.
—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
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
Following up on their brilliant 4-1 win over Paraguay a week ago would always be a tall task, but the Americans looked strong in the opening 45 minutes against the Aussies – though there remain some blinking warning signs about the Stars and Stripes’ defense.
—
David Close,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
The royal, who was seen repeatedly blinking before jolting awake, was attending the annual ANZAC Day service at London's Westminster Abbey, which is held to commemorate Commonwealth soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and Canada who served and died in wars and peacekeeping operations.
—
Jennifer Hassan,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Most of them turned off, some blinking erratically and in need of a reset.
—
Joseph Trinidad,
Longreads,
16 June 2026
The webcams assessed user breaks, eye gaze and blinking, and delivered personalized reminders based on the 20-20-20 rule.
—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2026
Fascism lives in the upside-down; professional gaslighting features heavily amongst its weaponry, along with the blinking philistinism of the soulless.
—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blinking
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.
-
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.
Verb
-
No more squinting at raw tape and praying for a basketball IQ transplant.
-
Tired of squinting at your dim, blurry TV?
Verb
-
The work was not about identity, as is so often argued, but transcended identity without succumbing to the empty promises of globalization.
-
Supergirl killing Krem without much buildup, or hesitation, despite her advice to Ruthye, could have been framed as the heroine succumbing to her impulses, or accepting some dark truth about her own nature.
Verb
-
In Taiwan, a student sitting for an entrance exam for a top medical school was discovered wearing smart glasses after proctors noticed the student staring oddly at the test, leading to an inspection that revealed the frame was emitting heat.
-
Three stories, three separate sets of receipts, with one through line worth staring at until a clearer view emerges.
Verb
-
With some flashing lights, this thing flying around in the sky would cause quite a commotion.
-
The kart base is fitted with a Lego nose, sidepods and rear wing, as well as functioning flashing lights on the rear of the kart that can be used in the rain.
Verb
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The team plans to test the device further with other F-35 units at Luke before submitting the design to the Air Force’s global system.
-
In a separate case, Oren David Shachar of Van Nuys, Abraham Shin of Corona and Jeannie Choi of Torrance are accused of participating in a healthcare fraud scheme involving submitting false claims for medically unnecessary hospice care services.
Verb
-
Isn’t that what any of us wants when gazing into the mirror held up to nature, as Hamlet describes the theater?
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Soul gazing The following morning, the participants wake up with maybe the clearest heads in Nashville.
Verb
-
Bolex camera, which accounts for both the lightly flickering grain of the images and the short duration of every shot.
-
Vermeer’s pictures are often observed to harbor spiritual meanings as well as material ones, flickering back and forth between the two.
Cite this Entry
“Blinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blinking. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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