tinkles 1 of 2

Definition of tinklesnext
plural of tinkle
as in rattles
a series of short high ringing sounds the soothing tinkle of the wind chime on the back porch

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tinkles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of tinkle
as in clinks
to make a repeated sharp light ringing sound the bell around the cat's neck tinkled as he ran across the yard

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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 tinkles
Noun
Periodically a mandolin tinkles, or maybe a fiddle swoops in as if from a low-hanging cloud. Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Feb. 2026 Roberts doesn’t offer much empathy for the poor, diseased critter other than a pause when Ben momentarily ponders his reflection in a pool as Adrian Johnston’s eerie synth-piano score tinkles. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026 Sometimes, in the deep winter quiet, a piano tinkles in Kelley’s Saloon, and the spirits dance to ghostly music. Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 16 Oct. 2025 From the moment that Jerry Goldsmith’s piano tinkles caress the opening bars of his score while stars float past the frame, anyone with a soul knows that this is not your average IP cash-in. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinkles
Noun
  • The snakes can, however, lose their rattles or simply decide not to use them.
    Don Sweeney April 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Cunningham’s Fisher-Price pianos and decrepit drums are unmistakable, as is Ciani’s Buchla, which whooshes and rattles like a steam engine barreling down the tracks.
    Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • As the bullet weight clinks and clacks along the bottom, bass will key in on your rig and follow it.
    Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Each robot, remotely operated, clinks glasses and gestures in unison, embodying the camaraderie and hope of the musical’s revolutionaries.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Scored only by drum machine, a single synth, chimes, and tubular bells, the song’s straightforward tale sounds dramatically magnificent in spite of its spareness.
    Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The Japanese quartet take Ra’s skein of electronic noise as a starting point, wrapping it in a sizzling no wave funk beat, vocals that veer between incantatory and goofy, and bewitching mandalas of chimes and gongs.
    Reed Jackson, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The question was about coaching in general, but certainly rings true in the Heat’s case.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Norah feels celebrated and strengthened by its community, an ethos that rings true when Claire speaks about those around her.
    Julie Lin, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The most immediate disruption may appear in commercial niches such as advertising jingles or podcast themes.
    Steven Melendez, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The jingles and sounders used to identify CBS News network programming heard on the stations for decades have also been part of the listening experience.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tinkles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinkles. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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