tinkle 1 of 2

Definition of tinklenext
as in rattle
a series of short high ringing sounds the soothing tinkle of the wind chime on the back porch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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tinkle

2 of 2

verb

as in to clink
to make a repeated sharp light ringing sound the bell around the cat's neck tinkled as he ran across the yard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 tinkle
Noun
The water fountains are trickling; wind chimes tinkle and shimmer in the breeze, and the store’s seemingly endless lines of indoor and outdoor décor are available to celebrate each season and occasion. Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025 Now, new research suggests urination may function in a similar way: Captive chimpanzees that saw their peers peeing were more likely to take a tinkle themselves. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
The movie is antiquated sitcom, very much in an ‘80s vein, its veneer of schmaltz garnished with a tinkling score by Hans Zimmer that should come with a sugar-content warning. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Dec. 2025 Eerie chants, tinkling percussion, zany strings, and plucky swelling piano. Grace Byron, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinkle
Noun
  • The gift basket included items such as a rattle, books, swaddles, and a blanket, along with other essentials for new parents.
    Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Silver engraving, masks, totem poles, rattles, prints.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • The photo, which is embedded above, shows the three leading ladies Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss and Kate Mara clinking glasses with cheerful looks on their faces.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The clip showed the pair clinking spoons and laughing together, turning what began as a brief welfare check into a relaxed exchange between neighbors passing time during the outage.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The latest single’s biting percussion and synth clatter are owed in part to Styles’s longtime producer Kid Harpoon’s growing taste for the bespoke sounds of modular gear.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The clatter of rising shutters echoed through the empty streets, the occasional rambler scurried past, along the walls, bundled tightly in his coat, women walked by with milk bottles tucked in shawls wrapped around their chests.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Netflix and Amazon jingled all the way to some big audiences on Christmas Day, thanks to the NFL.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
  • The city’s more than 25-year-old parade marched down Crown Valley Parkway Saturday morning, Dec. 13, jingling all the way.
    Heather McRea, Oc Register, 14 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Cloudy chords, meditative tintinnabulation, the whoosh of wind and rain, blocks of iridescent brass — all these discrete sonorities trundled by, like a train of boxcars with panoramas painted on their sides.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Shivaree, chthonian, erumpent, tintinnabulation, exonumia, requiescat, deipnosophist, omphaloskepsis, horripilation, deliquesce, apopemptic.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2021
Verb
  • And yet the story rings a little false.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The collectible items mentioned above will likely ring you up for a bit more.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinkle. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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