tickle

verb

Definition of ticklenext
1
as in to itch

Related Words

Relevance
2
as in to excite

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 tickle The more kids tickle him, the more Elmo giggles, causing a hilarious and contagious giggle effect for everyone in the room. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 Sometimes there was laughter from girls who were pinching or tickling each other. — Annie Ernaux, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 There are also a few other flavors that might tickle your fancy. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026 As mentioned, Kate is a gifted musician herself and has tickled the ivories at several public appearances, including her annual Christmas carol service. — Tessa Petak, InStyle, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tickle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tickle
  1. itch
  2. excite
  3. tingle
  4. amuse
  5. sting
  6. titillate
  7. bore
  8. satiate
Verb
  • Your clinician may use a four-question Urticaria Control Test, which looks back over four weeks, or ask you to record daily hives and itch for seven days with a measure called UAS7.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 12 Oct. 2026
  • While some companies made dramatically bitchy exits from the state in recent years, there are signs that several are itching to get back to the golden coast.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of itch
Verb
  • Recent developments, such as Meta's Muse personal agent app and its latest proprietary foundation model, Muse Wonder, released earlier this week, have begun to excite investors who are optimistic about new AI business opportunities.
    — Kif Leswing,Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • And, continuing their hot streak, Celine and Chanel have buyers excited about next season’s ready-to-wear and accessory sales.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • Known as oral allergy syndrome, this cross-reaction can cause symptoms such as itching or tingling in the mouth.
    — Lauren Finney Harden, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Applegate has previously described living with symptoms including numbness, an off-balance feeling, and a tingling sensation in the limbs.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of tingle
Verb
  • Both are obviously fabricated, but neither of the candidates depicted is amused.
    — Max Raskin, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Written over the span of her extensive career, these tales amuse, enchant, perplex and illuminate.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of amuse
Verb
  • Continue reading … CROSSING THE AISLE — Manchin delivers stinging rebuke to Schumer with surprise Senate campaign stop.
    — , FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sting
Verb
  • Grace is delighted and titillated by Todd’s speculation, and in the middle of a G7 Summit preparation meeting with Billie and Gannon, quietly asks Hal if Kate is pregnant.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Sheerness continues less as a means to titillate, but instead brings a sense of lightness to the season.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of titillate
Verb
  • Hundreds of pinprick holes had been bored into the metal undercarriage, and each one had to be deburred by hand.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Tegan & Sara’s painfully catchy tune for the 2014 movie relies on bouncing dance beats and repetition to bore its way straight into your brain.
    — Stephanie Ganz Published, Parents, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of bore
Verb
  • Puka Nacua left Philadelphia last week satisfied with a victory and satiated with sandwiches.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Supplies will eventually catch up, and demand will become more satiated.
    — Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of satiate

Browse Nearby Words

ticking off
tickle
tickled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tickle. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of asunder

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All