How to Use licking in a Sentence

licking

noun
  • His father threatened to give him a licking if he didn't stop misbehaving.
  • Jones was like a Timex watch… takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
    — Dallas News, 27 Sep. 2022
  • So a dog's sloppy licking could be just a way of figuring you out.
    — National Geographic, 17 Dec. 2016
  • This bag took a licking and kept on ticking without being any worse for wear.
    — Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2023
  • And the licking is a way of showing affection and bonding among bovine.
    — Eva Botkin-Kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Aug. 2020
  • Both books tell the story of a child prodigy who learned to take a licking as part of the family act.
    — Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2022
  • So much of that, Kieran improvised as well — the licking of the cheese.
    — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 2 Aug. 2023
  • Like the Timex watch of old, Jeeps are designed to take a licking and keep on ticking.
    — Charles Fleming, latimes.com, 14 June 2019
  • This great tech gift can take a licking and still track your fitness goals during rough-and-tumble workouts.
    — Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 22 Nov. 2022
  • Probably the same approach could be used to create a comic licking room.
    — Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2014
  • Put it all together and foot licking seems as reasonable as kissing.
    — Jenny Singer, Glamour, 21 July 2022
  • Allergies can cause excessive licking, which can lead to a build-up of bacteria on the skin.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022
  • Looking up from the outrage, even for a six-hour stretch of rock 'n' roll greatness, does nothing to keep the licking flames of it at bay.
    — Hilary Hughes, Esquire, 9 Oct. 2016
  • In the video, tweeted by @ColtonCarlyle, his cat gives Carlyle’s nose a good licking.
    — Melissa Locker, Time, 11 Nov. 2019
  • 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
  • Excessive licking could be a sign your dog is anxious or has OCD.
    — Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY, 6 July 2022
  • The cat has a small spot of irritated skin — brought on by excessive licking and scratching — that needs to heal.
    — Cathy Free, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2023
  • Made from stainless steel with silicone rubber buttons, this mouse can truly take a licking.
    — Wired Staff, WIRED, 1 Apr. 1996
  • The trio from Beaumont picked up Lily and Zeus in a frenzy of licking and hugging.
    — Liz Hardaway, ExpressNews.com, 28 Aug. 2020
  • Subtle cues like stiff posture, yawning, or lip licking can also signal distress.
    — Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
  • If the licking is bothersome, don't reprimand the dog, but instead distract them from their mission with a treat.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 May 2021
  • But left-leaning wound licking is but one of multiple sources of stress pushing Hollywood through gym doors.
    — Peter Kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 June 2017
  • Stain resistant and easy-to-clean microsuede slipcovers mean that this sofa can take a licking and keep on ticking!
    — Laura Eckstein, Good Housekeeping, 14 May 2012
  • There are a few signs that may indicate your dog has an allergy, such as excessive licking, chewing, or scratching of the skin.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022
  • John Wick may appear to be indestructible, a ruthless assassin who takes a licking and keeps on killing.
    — Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2023
  • 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
  • Common signs of anal gland problems include scooting, persistent odors, and excessive licking of the rear end.
    — Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Like the watches in the old Timex commercials, Jimmy G takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
    — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 21 Dec. 2019
  • Some people enjoy gentle licking or kissing here, while others respond to massage-like pressure.
    — Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Predators respond with head shaking, gaping, drooling, and frantic licking.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'licking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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