as in to flutter
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in movie
a story told by means of a series of continuously projected pictures and a sound track
as a child, the future director would spend hours sitting in the theater, totally entranced by the flickers
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
usually there's a flicker in car sales when the new models come out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hint
an almost imperceptible sign of something
there was a flicker of recognition in her eye when I mentioned his name, but she denied knowing him
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 flicker
Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Its tongue flickered, sensing the currents of pandemonium, and then the forked tip touched my cheek.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Our light is now diminishing from a vibrant flame to only a flicker of light, and the world is watching our demise.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flicker
Verb
On Friday in Sacramento, the magic that carried Valley Christian from a 9-15 regular season to the brink of a state title flickered one last time before finally running out.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Its tongue flickered, sensing the currents of pandemonium, and then the forked tip touched my cheek.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
Startled, birds start from their branches and flicker through the atmosphere.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Our light is now diminishing from a vibrant flame to only a flicker of light, and the world is watching our demise.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flicker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flicker
Verb
-
Patrick Kane took a shot from the point that fluttered through traffic and bounced off Compher, who was parked at the goalpost.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
There’s a Super 8 projector pointed at a set of red velvet curtains, which flutter apart only for the man himself.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In 1996, the bookseller opened a two-story location in downtown’s Sundance Square, on Commerce at East 3rd streets, around the corner from the AMC Palace movie theater.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In this simian spin on the slasher movie, college kid Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) returns home to Hawaii for a visit with family and Ben, a super-smart chimp and her late mom's research project.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Golden State pulled away from there, keeping the pesky Wizards at bay with a flurry of 3-pointers and free throws.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In the franchise’s inaugural game on March 14 in San Jose, a flurry of impressive saves kept Denver in it until the final whistle, despite the club playing a woman down for most of the match after Janine Sonis was sent off in the 26th minute.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The air smells damp and jungly (in the best possible way) and is sweetened with a hint of frangipani.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Researchers are now exploring Greenland shark genetics for clues about aging, finding hints of enhanced DNA repair and cellular maintenance that could slow aging at a fundamental level.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Spring's warmth is settling in across southern Michigan, and hummingbirds will soon be flitting about the state.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
On the waterfront, saffron finches flit between yellow shutters and almond trees.—
Stephanie Rafanelli,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Once Lori enters Julian’s home, the film springs to life.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The film also was shown at a number of other festivals before hitting the awards circuit as the Palestinian entry for this year’s Academy Awards.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In that last year — like the end of a fireworks show — the lawyers set off a burst of filings and arguments over what evidence and which experts could go in front of a jury.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Such districts are often formed when a school district is experiencing a burst of development or enrollment growth concentrated in certain areas, explained Erica Gonzales, a managing director at the investment bank Stifel who specializes in California school financing.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Following three straight 100-loss seasons that led to a front-office house cleaning, Rockies fans are peering down the road for glimmers of hope.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Thus, Archer says the book offers a glimmer of hope to its readers.—
Gqlshare,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flicker. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
