1
2
as in minutes
a very small space of time
I turned to look away, and in a wink he was gone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in gleams
to shoot forth bursts of light
fireflies winking in the darkness beyond our campfire
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in ignores
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
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Recent Examples of winks
Meg Walters, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
As for the music, it’s aptly encoded with cosmic winks and shrugs — layers of paradoxical noises that feel messy and mannered, casual and serious, loose and tight, hungry and wise.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
References, winks, and even fan-pleasing cameos abound, but unlike in many big-budget IP adaptations, all of them make sense for the story being told and don't take attention away from the main players.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 16 Dec. 2025
On a poster, the brand’s mascot, Snow King, holds a milk tea and winks.
—Theodora Yu, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2025
In its effort to stoke the geopolitical flames with winks and tongue-in-cheek reference, this new book flattens the story to surface level commentary.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Nov. 2025
Hank certainly seems to be getting more than his 40 winks of sleep at night, if the care and intelligence demonstrated in this brief clip is anything to go by.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Though the movie is accessible to new fans, there are plenty of winks and nods for diehards who can understand what might seem, to the uninitiated, like cheesy moments—a cringeworthy English rap verse, a scene parodying the product placement in K-dramas—as self-aware jokes.
—Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Olivier Rousteing, creative director, Balmain Creative director of Balmain since 2011, Rousteing has revitalized the house with his bold, opulent designs, blending modern glamour with winks to the legacy of founder Pierre Balmain.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
But when the lights go off and consciousness winks out, another, deeper process goes to work.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
The table serving as a centerpiece winks to a fashion runway.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
The actress stars as Cathy in Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Emily Brontë's novel—and so far, the press tour has been filled with knowing winks and nods to the source material.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
As for the music, it’s aptly encoded with cosmic winks and shrugs — layers of paradoxical noises that feel messy and mannered, casual and serious, loose and tight, hungry and wise.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
References, winks, and even fan-pleasing cameos abound, but unlike in many big-budget IP adaptations, all of them make sense for the story being told and don't take attention away from the main players.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 16 Dec. 2025
On a poster, the brand’s mascot, Snow King, holds a milk tea and winks.
—Theodora Yu, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2025
In its effort to stoke the geopolitical flames with winks and tongue-in-cheek reference, this new book flattens the story to surface level commentary.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Nov. 2025
Hank certainly seems to be getting more than his 40 winks of sleep at night, if the care and intelligence demonstrated in this brief clip is anything to go by.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Though the movie is accessible to new fans, there are plenty of winks and nods for diehards who can understand what might seem, to the uninitiated, like cheesy moments—a cringeworthy English rap verse, a scene parodying the product placement in K-dramas—as self-aware jokes.
—Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Olivier Rousteing, creative director, Balmain Creative director of Balmain since 2011, Rousteing has revitalized the house with his bold, opulent designs, blending modern glamour with winks to the legacy of founder Pierre Balmain.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The hotel itself is a rhapsody in clean, modern design that subtly winks to the legion efforts behind it.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
But when the lights go off and consciousness winks out, another, deeper process goes to work.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
The table serving as a centerpiece winks to a fashion runway.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winks
Noun
-
While snuggling with your cat might be the ideal way to keep both of you warm in winter, there are other ways to help when your lap isn’t available for naps.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of taking daytime naps, which can disrupt sleep at night, aim for a regular sleep schedule.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period when he was fouled by Diabate.—
Steve Reed,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The tense conversation continued for several minutes before a peculiar discrepancy popped up.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Maybe somebody blinks and the Rangers get a better result.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Between scenes, for instance, the illuminated proscenium blinks ominously, as if in code.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Despite a couple of funky skips, the album is fueled by the hunger of an artist who really wants the pop life again, perking up electro-scuzz and arena rock with new wave that gleams like glitter.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Importantly, the survey also points to a potential de-escalator that Carlson ignores.—
Robert Pape,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
If someone ignores your text, try asking a follow-up question (or calling them, because tone may travel poorly over screens).—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number on a blood pressure reading, which represents the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The ability to continuously track a patient’s blood pressure, glucose or heartbeats can help doctors and caregivers keep them stable and avert crises.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Charles squints at the phone.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Wiesmair squints at his smartphone, which is logged on to a database of European moth species.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Jessica then zooms in on her husband, who flashes her a toothy smile.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winks. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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