suck

verb

\ ˈsək

sucked; sucking; sucks

Definition of suck

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : to draw (something, such as liquid) into the mouth through a suction force produced by movements of the lips and tongue sucked milk from his mother's breast

b : to draw something from or consume by such movements suck an orange suck a lollipop

c : to apply the mouth to in order to or as if to suck out a liquid sucked his burned finger

2a : to draw by or as if by suction when a receding wave sucks the sand from under your feet— Kenneth Brower inadvertently sucked into the … intrigue— Martin Levin

b : to take in and consume by or as if by suction a vacuum cleaner sucking up dirt suck up a few beers opponents say that malls suck the life out of downtown areas— Michael Knight

intransitive verb

1 : to draw something in by or as if by exerting a suction force especially : to draw milk from a breast or udder with the mouth

2 : to make a sound or motion associated with or caused by suction his pipe sucked wetly flanks sucked in and out, the long nose resting on his paws— Virginia Woolf

3 : to act in an obsequious manner when they want votes … the candidates come sucking around— W. G. Hardy —usually used with up sucked up to the boss

4 slang, sometimes vulgar : to be objectionable or inadequate our lifestyle sucks — Playboy people who went said it sucked— H. S. Thompson

suck it up

: to make the effort required to do or deal with something difficult or unpleasant

suck

noun

Definition of suck (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a sucking movement or force

2 : the act of sucking

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About suck

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Synonyms & Antonyms for suck

Synonyms: Verb

bite
[informal + sometimes impolite],
smell,
stink

Antonyms: Verb

rock
[slang],
rule
[slang]

Examples of suck in a Sentence

Verb sucking milk through a straw a toddler sucking his thumb She just sucked her teeth and stared. She sucked on an orange slice. I sucked a cough drop. The tide almost sucked us out to sea. The boat was sucked under the water in the storm. These plants suck moisture from the soil. The fan sucks smoke from the air. a vacuum cleaner that sucks up water as well as dirt Noun He took a suck on his pipe.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The ticks attach to moose in late summer and early fall, and suck their blood over the winter. — Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 12 July 2021 In response, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources has approved the use of about 100 thermosyphons — tubes that suck heat out of permafrost — to keep the frozen slope in place and prevent further damage to the pipeline’s support structure. — NBC News, 11 July 2021 Even insects that suck plant sap are forced to excrete surplus sugars, in the form of liquids known as honeydew or lerp. — Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 8 July 2021 The tax machine has many gears, and almost all of them turn steadily to suck dollars out of and away from local pockets. — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 25 June 2021 Although turbochargers often suck the soul out of great-sounding engines (see the transition from the nat-asp 458 to turbo’d 488), Ferrari says the new V-6 overcomes that thanks to its wide angle and redesigned exhaust system. — Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 24 June 2021 Plus, the beloved iRobot Roomba robot vacuum that can suck up dust bunnies and crumbs is going for $51 off right now. — Sanah Faroke, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2021 The more than $800 million structure is essentially a three-mile long tunnel that would suck water directly from the bottom of Lake Mead. — Rachel Ramirez, Pedram Javaheri And Drew Kann, CNN, 17 June 2021 Becky Liu, China macro strategist for Standard Chartered, per the Financial Times, estimates the move will suck about $20 billion worth of liquidity out of China's foreign exchange market. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 1 June 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Maybe that explains one of the Washington women’s rowing team’s mottos this year: Embrace the suck. — Matt Calkins, The Seattle Times, 29 May 2017 While these are technically DOT legal, FCA points out that the meats wear quickly on the highway, suck in the rain, and should not, under any circumstances, be used in any way, shape, or form at temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. — Davey G. Johnson, Car and Driver, 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suck.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.