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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of licking
Isadora Baum, Allure, 19 Nov. 2024
Best Buy has an unbeatable deal on a sturdy Bluetooth speaker that can take a licking and keep on rocking.
—K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 1 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
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
Best Buy has an unbeatable deal on a sturdy Bluetooth speaker that can take a licking and keep on rocking.
—K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 1 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
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Gilbert police still face scrutiny over teen attacks: Inaction from the Gilbert Police Department over teen violence, including the death of Preston Lord, beatings of other teens, and a barn set on fire, prompted scrutiny of the department and town leadership.The Arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 31 Dec. 2024
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Several videos circulating on social media purport to show armed militants — allegedly affiliated with HTS or the security forces of the new government— beating, cursing and humiliating Alawite men while arresting them, or otherwise making threats toward Alawites.Barak Ravid, Axios, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The crowd was so excited that the plexiglass behind us was pounding.ABC News, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2024
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Prepare for fast, heart-pounding action and brutal competition in this multiplayer game.Dana Feldman, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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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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In Bridget Jones: Mad About a Boy, Bridget Jones is reeling after the loss of Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and navigating life as a single mom.Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
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Among the many tragic losses families have suffered amid the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County, an Altadena man’s stands out.Josh DuBose, The Hill, 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 21 Jan. 2025.
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