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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of licking
Lydia Kariuki, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
The lips don’t have the same concentration of oil glands as other areas of the skin and are constantly exposed to environmental factors, such as lip licking, cosmetics, and cold weather.
—Isadora Baum, Allure, 19 Nov. 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
Not only do the natural ingredients promote healthier skin and fur, but the calming side effects will reduce excessive licking or scratching caused by anxiety.
—Lydia Kariuki, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
The lips don’t have the same concentration of oil glands as other areas of the skin and are constantly exposed to environmental factors, such as lip licking, cosmetics, and cold weather.
—Isadora Baum, Allure, 19 Nov. 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
-
Pereira outclassed Rountree, putting a beating on his opponent before scoring a fourth-round TKO win.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Frazier gave Ali the worst beating of his life, slamming his midsection, round after round, with blows meant to send his kidneys and heart into unbearable anguish.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 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
-
Despite Fritz’s defeat, there remains a healthy contingent of US participants in the tournament, with Monfils facing American Ben Shelton in the fourth round on Monday.—
Matias Grez,
CNN,
18 Jan. 2025
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Their first defeat since December 7 must be quickly consigned to history and Howe’s team must learn how to better recover from setbacks at home.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 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
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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
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Trump has repeatedly vowed to use the DOJ to target his political opponents while issuing sweeping pardons for the rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
15 Jan. 2025
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While FPVs and small quadcopters get all the attention, the night bombers inflict heavy losses on Russian forces which are barely noted.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Elle was also seen whipping her hands in a circle to the music during the awards ceremony.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
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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
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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
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The key to mastering the look, according to A-list manicurist Tinu Bello?—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
28 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In a costume designed by Jazmin Aurora Medina, his whole look is a mix of royal trimmings and street clothes that screams rich boy who wants to cosplay as a normie.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2025
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If that’s not enough, Florence Pugh’s Yelena shows up, putting the trimming on the tree.—
Greg Braxton,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near licking
Cite this Entry
“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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