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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of lick
Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
The Miniature Wife Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in this dramedy about an egocentric scientist on the verge of a breakthrough who accidentally shrinks his wife, a Pulitzer-winning author who hasn’t written a lick in more than a decade.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 20 May 2026
Even small exposures—such as licking pollen off fur or drinking water from a vase containing lilies—can be toxic.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lick
Noun
Eventually music theory discussion turned to actual licks.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
The Miniature Wife Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in this dramedy about an egocentric scientist on the verge of a breakthrough who accidentally shrinks his wife, a Pulitzer-winning author who hasn’t written a lick in more than a decade.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
My biggest fear was that if a burglar broke into my house, Buddy would lick him to death and then I’d get sued.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 20 May 2026
Even small exposures—such as licking pollen off fur or drinking water from a vase containing lilies—can be toxic.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lick
Noun
-
Shutting down Logan would be another blow to the Lincoln area after the closures of Lincoln College and Lincoln Christian University, and other businesses and facilities over the years.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Earlier in the day, the Marlins were dealt another blow to their rotation when it was announced that top prospect Thomas White is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a left shoulder capsular sprain last month.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Angie is made more complex inside a later version, who is bruised and angry, ready to rip any and everyone to shreds.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
The camera locks Henri in its sights, catching his every empty boast and complicit deed as Hitler’s Final Solution looms, and offering nary a shred of redemption or reassurance.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
In a world of drivers mostly ruled by their corporate sponsors, Busch was an otherworldly talent who simply did not give a damn.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
-
In comedy, no one gives a damn.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
But only the girls got a look and a kiss with him, while competing men didn't know who was hiding in the back.—
Lily Brown,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
-
The Last Act delves deep into Jax (Michael Kovach), revealing that the bunny has been hiding his true self the entire time.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
How humans write, speak, code and compose was easily scraped off the internet, but the bots need more information to master how to stand, step, lift, squeeze, pour and perform other physical movements.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Between Luxury Storytelling and Fast Fashion Scale Luxury brands have long mastered the art of cultural storytelling but often remain constrained by accessibility and scale.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Burke, a Dodgers teammate, had provided the setup for the pioneering hand slap, a spontaneous response to a homer that Baker hit in 1977.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Will Smith won his only Best Actor Oscar in the title role, leading to his infamous onstage slap of Chris Rock during the 2022 ceremony.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
From catching perfect waves to windsurfing at El Medano, along with year-round scuba diving at sites like La Catedralkay and aking in Los Gigantes, Tenerife is the prime destination for travelers looking to make a splash during their trip.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Marble makes quite the splash in this midcentury Houston home from Mary Patton Design.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
His adoration, here as in all things natural, is infectious, although the birds themselves care not a whit for him, and isn’t that part of the wonder, the fun?—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
An unconventional structure or new approach bothers them not a whit.—
Mac Barnett,
Longreads,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lick. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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