1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the ball a solid lick with the bat
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in shred
a very small amount
the soup needs just a lick more of salt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in damn
the smallest amount or part imaginable
you haven't done a lick of work all day
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to hide
to strike repeatedly
your father will lick you good if he hears you using swear words
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to master
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
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Recent Examples of lick
ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
This lick mat is designed to help reduce your pup's anxiety and boredom in the crate.
—Jessica Moore, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Wherever Max Barajas, the owner of Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures in Chicago, Illinois, takes his carvings, people lick them.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lick
Noun
She was known to sneak butter from the fridge to enjoy a few finger licks.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
This lick mat is designed to help reduce your pup's anxiety and boredom in the crate.
—Jessica Moore, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
The dog ignored him, and licked the boy’s face.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Wherever Max Barajas, the owner of Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures in Chicago, Illinois, takes his carvings, people lick them.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lick
Noun
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Virginia made one last push, cutting TCU’s lead to 65-55, but the Horned Frogs quickly delivered the knockout blow as Miles knocked down a 3 and Suarez hit sophomore center Clara Silva for a layup to end Virginia’s hopes of another upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Israeli military later said raw materials are processed for enrichment at the Yazd plant and the strike was a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the harsh afternoon sun, it was deserted except for dogs dozing on the rocks, and lovers seeking a shred of privacy.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Anyone with a shred of empathy would have a hard time understanding why a person would ever do this.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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What is emerging instead is a stewardship model that treats vital ecosystems, like coral reefs, as dynamic systems requiring maintenance, repair, and adaptation, much like roads, damns, and power grids.—
Bill Frist,
Forbes.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
My parents have no idea what’s happening because legacy media is not reporting on anything worth a damn.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Controversial school policies hiding students’ gender transitions from parents remains a ripe issue the Supreme Court should take up, activists argue, despite the justices already handing parents a win in an emergency docket case on the matter earlier this month.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
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But her lover, the increasingly controlling and unhinged army corporal Don José, is gradually dimished to lurking in the shadows and hiding in crowds.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The young girl is reading at a 12th-grade level and mastering math concepts such as fractions, decimals and even exponents.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The duality applies to the whole team, which has seemingly mastered compartmentalizing its fun side and its serious side, tapping into one personality or the other on command.—
Haley Sawyer,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Leonard extended his 20-point streak to 49 straight games with 27 points on 9-of-19 shooting, welcoming hand slaps from teammates after hitting his second 3-pointer late in the game.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
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Emma Peschel beat the first-period buzzer with a slap shot to make it 4-0 and Sara Swiderski sent a shot from the blue line that deflected into the goal in the third.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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To channel the look, pair a bucket hat with a slouchy polo tee and loafers—bright red trousers offer the perfect splash of modernity.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2026
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Kids love the family zone, featuring an oceanfront splash pool, mini-water park, swimming pool, jungle gym, and a kids club, while everyone will appreciate the spacious family rooms with connecting options.—
Sheryl Nance Nash,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, Trump cares not a whit about bringing drug traffickers to justice.—
Peter Kornbluh,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Miss Keaton…is not a whit like the flustered ingénue she was cast to play.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lick. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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