licking 1 of 2

noun

ˈli-kiŋ How to pronounce licking (audio)
Definition of lickingnext
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

licking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lick
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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of licking
Noun
Predators respond with head shaking, gaping, drooling, and frantic licking. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026 Becker advises watching for excessive licking, especially of the paws, drooling, skin irritation, or unusual lethargy. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
There was caviar on the table and this behemoth started licking it. — Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Footage shows waves licking the wreckage as multiple responders attempted to free the canine. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for licking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licking
  1. beating
  2. pounding
  3. defeating
  4. defeat
  5. hiding
  6. overcoming
  7. loss
  8. whipping
Noun
  • Piezoelectric generators are particularly attractive for implants because the body is constantly moving, from the expansion and contraction of the lungs to the rhythmic beating of the heart.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Gershkovich was not subject to beatings, solitary confinement, or torture.
    — Terry Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of beating
Verb
  • Groups of young people were seen dancing with music pounding through the crowd as meters away tear gas billowed into the air.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • At the moment, the good detective is strutting around the float, kicking the wheels and pounding the floorboards.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of pounding
Verb
  • Fernandes points out the prevalence of tactical voting — when voters abandon their preferred candidate for one with a better chance of winning or defeating a rival — as an explanation for the first-round surprise in early October.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Eisenkot argued that Israel needed to concentrate its military resources on defeating Hamas in the south before embarking on another major conflict.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeating
Noun
  • Trump can’t let Iran turn a military defeat into a diplomatic victory.
    — , FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • After allocating about 8% of GDP to NEOM, once contract cancellations are included, the government has admitted a costly defeat.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Some senators fled while others braced themselves inside the Senate chamber as Officer Eugene Goodman tried to reason with the mob, and Senate staffers barricaded themselves in offices, hiding.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Joseph had spent most of the war hiding in the forest with the Bielski partisan force, a Jewish resistance group.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of hiding
Verb
  • His early story is known as one of overcoming difficult circumstances and finding a creative outlet in music.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The song addresses overcoming adversity and using others’ doubts to fuel your passion.
    — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcoming
Noun
  • Fifth-year cornerback Jaden Mickey made some big stops, including a pass breakup, while the defensive front produced four sacks for 37 yards and seven tackles for loss.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • After scoring just four points on six field-goal attempts in Friday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, Adebayo was much more aggressive in looking for his own offense on Saturday.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of loss
Verb
  • Now imagine whipping your phone out after work, telling the world about it, and landing a brand deal worth $10K or more.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Now imagine the same hot and dry conditions, but with the Santa Anas whipping at 40 miles an hour.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of whipping

Browse Nearby Words

lickety-split
licking
lickings
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Cite this Entry

“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on licking

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about licking

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