sucks; sucked; sucking
1
a
: to pull (liquid, air, etc.) into your mouth especially while your lips are forming a small hole
sucking milk through a straw
b
: to pull on (something in your mouth) with the muscles of your lips and mouth
a toddler sucking his thumb
She just sucked her teeth and stared.
She sucked on an orange slice.
c
: to let (something, such as candy or medicine) stay in your mouth as it melts
I sucked a cough drop.
sucking on a lollipop
2
always followed by an adverb or preposition
a
: to pull (something) with the force of moving water, air, etc.
The tide almost sucked us out to sea.
The boat was sucked under the water in the storm.
b
: to remove (something) from an area or substance by pulling it with the force of moving water, air, etc.
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
—sometimes used figurativelyShe just seems to suck the joy out of the room.
This heat has sucked every ounce of energy out of me.
3
: to make (part of your body) flatter or tighter by pulling your muscles inward
—+ in
He was sucking in his gut. [=pulling in his stomach to make himself seem thinner]
It looked like she had sucked her cheeks in for the picture.
4
: to cause (someone) to become involved or interested in something
—+ in or into
Their lifestyle seemed exciting, and I admit it really sucked me in.
—often used as (be/get) sucked in/intoHundreds of people got sucked into the scheme and many lost their entire life savings.
5
not used in progressive tenses, informal + sometimes impolite
a
: to be very bad or unpleasant
You lost your job? That sucks.
People who went to the party said it sucked.
b
: to do something very badly
He sang a few songs, and man, he sucks. [=he sings badly]
—often + atI suck at golf. [=I play golf badly]
Cite this Entry
“Suck.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/suck. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
