TWINKLES Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

twinkles 1 of 2

noun

plural of twinkle

as in minutes

a very small space of time in just a twinkle, the shooting star was gone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

twinkles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of twinkle

as in flashes

to shine with light at regular intervals holiday decorations twinkled in the shop windows

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in gleams

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 twinkles

Noun

The cups on display, with sleek forms and graphic twinkles, immediately felt relatable yet also transcendent, the boundary between life and art blissfully obliterated. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 And Georges delivers—come for the smart, international menu and panoramic views over Paris (especially appealing at night, when the Eiffel Tower twinkles with light). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026 Perch yourself in the Hollywood Hills and watch as the city twinkles below at night. — Kristin Braswell, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2026 But, there will be progress, if not twinkles of excitement. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026 Death twinkles in this landscape like mineral sand. — Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026 Downtown, the Plaza twinkles with thousands of string lights. — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025 This Lowcountry gem nestled on Port Royal Island is magical year-round, but at Christmas, Beaufort’s glow twinkles even brighter. — Stephanie Hunt, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for twinkles

Noun

In the second quarter, the Dream’s first basket didn’t come until a little over three minutes into the period.

— Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Just 10 minutes from Lagos and 15 minutes from Portimão, Palmares strikes an ideal balance between accessibility and seclusion.

— Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of minutes

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

Noun

Simpson was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a rare heart condition that can cause irregular heartbeats and sudden cardiac death in seemingly healthy individuals, per John Hopkins Medicine.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
Everything in the body runs in vibratory cycles from heartbeats to brainwaves to sleep-wake cycles.

— Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of heartbeats

Verb

In the camp’s Cinema building, an old projector flickers to life on the scene where young Billy (Amanda Fix) loses her virginity, and the real Billy materializes behind Kris, hoping for a jump.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
On another monitor, a dashboard that resembles the menu screen of a flight simulator flickers to life — only this is no simulation.

— Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Definition of flickers

Verb

The air is perfectly warm, the sunshine glints on the water, happy people pass by and wave.

— Kristy Woodson Harvey, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
That, from time to time, during his endless task, the sun glints across the rock’s face in a way that reminds him that there were good times, or at least different times.

— Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 12 May 2026

Definition of glints

Noun

With 33 seconds left in Round 9, Itauma’s trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel, leaving Hrgović to celebrate making history.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Minutes later the finalists will fight to stay on the back of 2,000-pound animals with names like Man Hater and Buck Nasty for eight excruciating seconds, and then dodge the bull's hooves and horns when they're tossed to the ground.

— Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of seconds

Verb

Parton turned extravagant blonde wigs, elaborate makeup, high heels, and sparkles into one of the most recognizable looks in entertainment.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The pearl-white sand is powdery soft, and the crystal-clear water literally sparkles in the sun.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparkles

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twinkled

twinkles

twinkling

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“Twinkles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twinkles. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of twinkles

noun

verb

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