winks 1 of 2

noun

plural of wink
1
as in naps
a short sleep I wasn't able to catch a wink during the entire flight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in minutes
a very small space of time I turned to look away, and in a wink he was gone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

winks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wink
1
as in blinks
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 twinkles
to shine with light at regular intervals a lighthouse was winking in the distance

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3
as in gleams
to shoot forth bursts of light fireflies winking in the darkness beyond our campfire

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 winks
Noun
It’s presented without winks or nudges, neither as a joke nor necessarily foolish. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 The new Scary Movie, from writer-stars Marlon and Shawn Wayans and director Michael Tiddes, opens with knowing winks to the 2000 original film, which featured Electra in a scene inspired by Drew Barrymore's opening scene in Scream. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026 There are a lot of knowing nods and winks to past horror landmarks as well, notably Videodrome and The Shining, and more than a few gentle ribbings of the clichés of the Golden Age of slashers. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026 Her work explores healing from childhood trauma, perfectionism, motherhood, and the quiet synchronistic winks that guide us to the miracles awaiting us. — Literary Hub, 15 May 2026 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
Verb
When new employee Theint (Nandar Myint Lwin) tells a white lie to cover for her after an unauthorized bathroom break, San Kyi’s face turns positively radiant with gratitude, while Teint merely winks in response. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 July 2026 The film, from director Susanne Bier, opens September 11, and the first teaser showed the old house that was rebuilt meticulously, as well as the two Owens sisters getting up to a whole lot of witchy stuff and some sly winks. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2026 Badlands might be a simple movie on the surface, but it's filled with little details, bits of lore, and cheeky winks many moviegoers appreciated. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026 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 Referencing the Founder An impressive number of artworks and floral motifs pervade the vast store, winks to founder Christian Dior’s early days as a gallery owner and his lifelong love of plants. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winks
  1. naps
  2. minutes
  3. blinks
  4. flashes
  5. gleams
  6. ignores
  7. heartbeats
  8. squints
Noun
  • Dogs spend a significant portion of their day resting, which is why supportive bedding can be a worthwhile investment, particularly for aging dogs, larger breeds or pets that love long afternoon naps.
    — Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
  • This playful muslin blanket is the one Yang sends to preschool, where snack time, art projects, and naps all happen in the same set of clothes.
    — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of naps
Noun
  • Rest for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1 to 2 hours at room temperature.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Zero would mean exactly the same players playing exactly the same share of minutes; 100 per cent reflects an entirely new team.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of minutes
Verb
  • There’s an incredibly welcoming feel, and no staffer blinks an eye at accommodating a baby or rowdy teens.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Sugar leaves his hotel room to meet the bright new day just as his space-communication box blinks with the promise of a new message.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blinks
Verb
  • As Robert Spillane works through a quiet camp, fellow inside linebacker Christian Elliss flashes again and again, this time in coverage during 7-on-7s with a pass breakup.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Danny Trejo flashes a smile at San Diego’s Comic-Con International on July 25.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of flashes
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
Definition of gleams
Verb
  • In the sketch, Washington’s announcement prompts a skeptical colonist (David) to imagine a future leader who ignores the Constitution, uses the presidency for personal gain and seeks to remain in power.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Our farmers and small businesses are already following strong safety rules — a one-size-fits-all federal ban ignores that.
    — A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignores
Noun
  • Everything in the body runs in vibratory cycles from heartbeats to brainwaves to sleep-wake cycles.
    — Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • But the most striking of the new songs is the opener, a slow-motion unfurling against a backdrop of heartbeats and zithers.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026
Definition of heartbeats
Verb
  • Nashville — Steve Crook squints through the sun, scanning his surroundings with precision.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, Charles squints at the phone.
    — Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
Definition of squints

Phrases Containing winks

Browse Nearby Words

wink (out)
winks
winks (at)
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Cite this Entry

“Winks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winks. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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