flicker 1 of 2

as in to flutter
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh

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flicker

2 of 2

noun

1
as in movie
a story told by means of a series of continuously projected pictures and a sound track as a child, the future director would spend hours sitting in the theater, totally entranced by the flickers

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2
3
as in hint
an almost imperceptible sign of something there was a flicker of recognition in her eye when I mentioned his name, but she denied knowing him

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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 flicker
Verb
Pain might flicker, flash, prickle, drill, lancinate, pinch, cramp, tug, scald, sear, or itch. Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 26 May 2025 The film opens on a flickering bulb on the ceiling of a highway rest stop, the camera taking us down to the building’s busy food court, though the family we’re meant to focus our attention on remain far away. Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
Noun
Other cavity nesters such as woodpeckers will make holes in trees, and those can also be adopted by tree swallows, flickers, kestrels and chickadees. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025 The café lights flicker to supplement her description of a Shreek’s ability to interfere with electricity. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for flicker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flicker
Verb
  • American flags fluttered, along with the occasional LGBTQ+ banner.
    Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
  • American and Saudi flags fluttered throughout the capital, and an all-American fleet of police vehicles formed a visible security perimeter around key sites.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • This year marks the 67th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s acclaimed film Vertigo, which some say is one of the best movies of all time and certainly one of the English film director’s masterworks.
    Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Jim Carrey starred as The Grinch in a 2000 Ron Howard movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the story was later adapted as an animation by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment as The Grinch in 2018.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Then, in early May, came a flurry of warnings — emails from spoofed Coinbase.com addresses, suspicious activity alerts, and a barrage of phone calls.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 June 2025
  • President Trump's flurry of recent presidential pardons has cost crime victims and taxpayers approximately $1.3 billion in restitution and payments, according to a review by House Judiciary Democrats.
    June 17, CBS News, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • While few details were shared at the time, there were hints that the podcast would soon be relaunching.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 26 June 2025
  • The strawberries are then quartered and added to the skillet alongside ruby port (a sweet fortified wine that generally tastes like red berries) and fresh ginger for a hint of sweet spice.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Following the Tony Awards, many attendees flitted off to cast celebrations and the official MoMA party before landing at the annual event at the Carlyle, hosted by Rick Miramontez and John Gore.
    Emily Burns, Footwear News, 9 June 2025
  • The episode flits back and forth between tour preparation, performances and home footage from Cooper’s childhood.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • On Tuesday, June 24, the General Hospital actor’s film premiered at the Dances with Films Los Angeles festival at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 26 June 2025
  • His answer is both thoughtful and humble, and perhaps perfectly fitting for a seasoned actor who’s taken on countless roles in Korean film and TV over the past 32 years.
    Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Pride Month tends to arrive in a confetti burst of color.
    Sophia Bush, Time, 20 June 2025
  • In a burst of architectural brilliance, a pair of striking glass hallways connect the two wings of the main house, one spotlighting views of a cascading creek and the other lush landscaping.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Telehealth offers a glimmer of a solution, but as everyone who’s tried to show off a concerning mole to a doctor via a smartphone camera knows: Video technology can only get you so far.
    Christopher Null, Wired News, 19 June 2025
  • For travelers, Christchurch Airport offers a glimmer of hope.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flicker. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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