twinkling 1 of 3

noun

ˈtwiŋ-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce twinkling (audio)
Definition of twinklingnext
as in minute
a very small space of time in a twinkling, the rabbit had disappeared

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

twinkling

2 of 3

adjective

as in gleaming

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

twinkling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of twinkle
1
as in flashing
to shine with light at regular intervals holiday decorations twinkled in the shop windows

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in glinting
to shoot forth bursts of light stars twinkling on a crisp September night

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 twinkling
Verb
The Hubble Space Telescope captured this twinkling image of NGC 6723, or the Chandelier Cluster, a globular star cluster located 27,000 light-years away in our Milky Way galaxy. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Be sure to plan at least one evening on-property to catch the sunset, when the mountains are painted in shades of pink and purple before giving way to a sky filled with twinkling stars. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026 That night, rather than looking at the twinkling wind instruments on the stage, he was captivated by the view of the father and daughter in front of him. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 The man from Bethlehem Lights is here to present his pre-lit trees, stately faux spruces twinkling with proprietary Color Prism illumination technology, 81 color and light combinations, the best time to purchase is now. — Hannah Engler Harvey, Longreads, 30 July 2026 Meanwhile, families have front-row seats to a special show at night—the twinkling lights of ships passing through the Panama Canal on the horizon. — Gina Kramer, USA Today, 25 July 2026 In December, wreaths and twinkling lights transform the inn into a New England fantasy. — Air Mail, 4 July 2026 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, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twinkling
  1. minute
  2. gleaming
  3. flashing
  4. glinting
  5. heartbeat
  6. glistening
  7. flickering
  8. glittering
Noun
  • The layered structure disappeared completely after 50 minutes.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Turn and continue cooking, turning every 2 minutes or so, until pork chops are deeply browned on both sides, 10–12 minutes (an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should register 145°).
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • Under his meticulous care, the gleaming red sports car has been souped up to generate 400-horsepower turbo performance, but retains much of the original features and feel.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The trailer features stunning images of the massive gleaming white cube that was the centerpiece of the staging and Instagram-worthy shots of the pryo and special effects that made the tour a must-see for fans.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Dec. 2025
Definition of gleaming
Verb
  • The Panthers scored all 26 points in the first half, flashing offensive explosiveness.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Today, consumers are struggling with growing inflation and slowing entry-level hiring, and Jenner is turning from flashing her private jets and multiple mansions to highlighting the flash of rhinestones placed on her everyday goods.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of flashing
Verb
  • Water rushes past, glinting silver in the light of the sun, just risen above the mountains that ring the bay.
    — Jonathan Wiggin, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The glinting metal of the Devil’s watch chain flashed in her mind, his hair and his teeth.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of glinting
Noun
  • The baby was born with a heartbeat but was not breathing, the couple told the Atlantic, and did not survive.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Davis, his wife and kids painted the picture of a family that had deep, meaningful connections to the heartbeat of this burgeoning southern metropolis in NASCAR country that, like so many cities, places its sports stars on a pedestal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of heartbeat
Adjective
  • Partnered with her futuristic ensemble fit for the silver screen, the musician wore coordinating purple knee-high boots made of glistening purple leather.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Shot on location in Alberta, Canada, the blooming grasslands, breathtaking sunrises, glistening rivers and immense mountaintops are characters in their own right, often pulling audiences in when the storyline itself is drastically lacking.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of glistening
Verb
  • The firefighters made camp at two in the morning, reclining on the pillowy grass, and ate dinner around a flickering campfire.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • And whether there are strict campfire bans in place or not, the FireFold is ready to serve as the flickering centerpiece of base camp.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of flickering
Verb
  • For the fairy-tale wedding, the bride wore two Ralph Lauren wedding dresses accessorized with glittering diamond jewelry.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The result is a necklace that feels unmistakably Chanel in one glittering act of self-reference.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of glittering

Browse Nearby Words

twinkles
twinkling
twinklings
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Cite this Entry

“Twinkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twinkling. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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