licking

noun

lick·​ing ˈli-kiŋ How to pronounce licking (audio)
Synonyms of lickingnext
1
: a sound thrashing : drubbing
2
: defeat

Synonyms of licking

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Examples of licking in a Sentence

His father threatened to give him a licking if he didn't stop misbehaving. our team took a licking last night, but we'll get them next time
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Carl wished that Drew felt the same way about him, but wondered if the licking was sanitary. — Thomas McGuane, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2026 March has a wide variety of loadouts, from sleek two-in-ones to rugged portables that'll take a licking and keep on ticking. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026 But as the summer of 2025 turned to fall, the legend of Pusser had taken a licking. — Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2025 The Ponies laid a 17-6 licking on East Ridge when the teams met on April 30. — Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for licking

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of licking was in 1756

Rhymes for licking

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Browse Nearby Words

lickety-split
licking
Licking
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Cite this Entry

“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/licking. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Geographical Definition

Licking

geographical name

Lick·​ing ˈli-kiŋ How to pronounce Licking (audio)
river 320 miles (515 kilometers) long in northeastern Kentucky flowing northwest into the Ohio River

More from Merriam-Webster on licking

Nglish: Translation of licking for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about licking

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