as in beating
failure to win a contest
our team took a licking last night, but we'll get them next time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pounding
to strike repeatedly
your father will lick you good if he hears you using swear words
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in defeating
to achieve a victory over
he's determined to do everything he can to lick the cancer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 licking
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Subtle cues like stiff posture, yawning, or lip licking can also signal distress.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Teeny’s flames quickly start licking her rope.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for licking
Noun
If the licking is excessive, a new behavior or accompanied by signs of illness, there could be a medical cause for this behavior.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Subtle cues like stiff posture, yawning, or lip licking can also signal distress.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
While licking you is a way for a dog to bond and promotes affection, stopping it will not compromise your relationship.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Teeny’s flames quickly start licking her rope.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for licking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licking
Noun
-
Others include the cardiac signals that control the beating of your heart, along with other signals that tell your muscles to contract.—
Steve Granick,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Buy So, even with a 53-11 record and Oklahoma City applying regular-season beatings to the rest of the NBA every night, there is still an air of mystery around the Thunder’s championship-level viability.—
Tony Jones,
The Athletic,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The crowd was so excited that the plexiglass behind us was pounding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Dec. 2024
-
Prepare for fast, heart-pounding action and brutal competition in this multiplayer game.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
As a result, Atlanta were able to enact revenge on The Bay who handed them their only defeat of the TGL season.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
19 Mar. 2025
-
On the women’s side, JC Smith (7-18) opens against Livingstone — a team that swept the Golden Bulls with a pair of 13-point defeats in the regular season.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Rushdie himself was attacked on stage at an event in upstate New York in 2022 after coming out of hiding.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Rushdie himself was attacked on stage at an event in upstate New York in 2022 after coming out of hiding.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Between those losses, Illinois won four straight games in promising fashion: two against Iowa, at then-No. 13 Michigan and against then-No. 18 Purdue.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
-
During the losing streak there have been competitive losses to elite teams, as well as a home overtime loss to the Knicks two weeks ago before the start of the skid.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Elle was also seen whipping her hands in a circle to the music during the awards ceremony.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
-
This instant camera captures little moments and big occasions on film, which feels a little more special than whipping out an iPhone.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The future of content creation lies not in choosing between human or artificial intelligence, but in mastering their combination.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes,
29 Dec. 2024
-
The key to mastering the look, according to A-list manicurist Tinu Bello?—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
28 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
For a monthly fee of $195, residents receive full exterior maintenance, including lawn care, snow removal, edging, weeding, shrub trimming, mulching, tree trimming, sprinkler maintenance, and exterior painting.—
Prime Development,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Tassels were transformed into boleros and belts, raw trimmings structured into midi skirts, and shoelaces whipstitched into button holes.—
Alice Pfeiffer,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share