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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of licking
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Predictably, Korda took a licking.
—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Affected animals transfer rabies by biting, licking or scratching other animals and humans.
—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for licking
Noun
The clacking of mouth-swab petrie dishes as they’re loaded into boxes for shipping, the line-by-line licking of complimentary doughnuts at the front desk.
—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Predictably, Korda took a licking.
—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
Monitor pets for behavioral changes, as pets may experience pain, licking or chewing at a wound, loss of appetite and lethargy.
—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Affected animals transfer rabies by biting, licking or scratching other animals and humans.
—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for licking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licking
Noun
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But if the stock market rally that powers the divide fizzles out, the economy could take a significant beating.
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Prosecutors allege that six of Arnold’s associates actually carried out the crimes, holding, beating and pistol-whipping the victims, and that Arnold wasn’t there at the time.
Verb
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Be mesmerized by the dazzling lasers and pulse-pounding tunes from the movie in this unforgettable experience.
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An apartment surveillance video captured a man pounding on the window, before Davis gave him a key.
Verb
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The first ever major league game to be played in Europe resulted in the Yankees defeating the Red Sox 17-13 in front of 60,000 spectators at London Olympic Stadium.
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The team displayed impressive form in the preliminary tournament qualifiers, winning all eight of its matches, scoring 37 goals, and defeating four-time World Cup champions Italy twice.
Noun
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A little more than an hour before his post-match press conference in the bowels of SoFi Stadium, Pochettino watched his USA team give up a last-second goal to Turkey that ensured a 3-2 defeat in this final match of the group stage.
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News of Custer's defeat stunned Americans, who were celebrating their country's centennial.
Verb
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The country’s singular role in hiding Jews from their Nazi occupiers is well documented.
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The anti-Trump rage, the surge of younger, more educated progressive voters, the hunger for someone willing to fight on affordability with policy, message, and tone, in Albany and Washington — all of it was hiding in plain sight for anyone looking at the data rather than the tired, old playbook.
Verb
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The strategies aim to do away with piecemeal approaches to overcoming the unique challenges that islands and coastal communities face, offering a comprehensive approach, said Raffaele Fitto, European Commission executive vice president for cohesion and reforms.
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How did overcoming addiction play a role in this album?
Noun
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Cruz, who also gave up an RBI single to Anthony Seigler and a game-tying sac fly to Tsung-Che Cheng, made sure to take responsibility for his part in the loss.
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But shareholders have pushed back against hefty pay packages, which come during a period of upheaval in Hollywood that has been buffeted by job losses from media consolidation and outsourcing.
Verb
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Ospreay struck Strickland, who responded by whipping a chain at him.
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Vargas is accused of repeatedly whipping the cab’s hood with a belt, denting it, cops said.
Cite this Entry
“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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