Synonyms of flicker

flicker 1 of 2

verb

ˈfli-kər 

as in to flutter

to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements

a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flutter
• flit
• dart
• dance
• flick
• fly
• scurry
• flirt
• wander
• flitter
• zip
• speed
• sail
• scuttle
• zoom
• sprint
• zing
• dash
• roam
• scamper
• skitter
• skip
• shoot
• meander
• scud
• ramble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hang
• float
• hover

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• movie
• film
• flick
• documentary
• motion picture
• moving picture
• feature
• picture
• animated cartoon
• short
• cartoon
• short subject
• silent
• talkie
• docudrama
• featurette
• B movie
• B picture
• cofeature

2

as in flurry

a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity

usually there's a flicker in car sales when the new models come out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flurry
• burst
• flutter
• outburst
• flash
• flare
• surge
• outbreak
• spurt
• increase
• eruption
• renewal
• recurrence
• flare-up
• boost
• explosion
• recrudescence
• flood
• pickup
• upturn
• rush
• upswing
• spree
• paroxysm
• volley
• epidemic
• binge
• commotion
• deluge
• spate
• furor
• jag
• uproar

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• slump
• doldrums

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hint
• glimmer
• touch
• breath
• trace
• suggestion
• sign
• whiff
• tang
• wind
• indication
• scent
• evidence
• inkling
• intimation
• mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saturation
• permeation
• pervasion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flicker

Verb

Soon, the pincher floats free of her consciousness, briefly inhabiting the mind of Pola or Ines before flickering back into herself. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

To be fair, Snyder, who’s also credited as the film’s cinematographer, captures no shortage of admittedly stirring images throughout, especially those involving flickering light and brooding shadows. — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Noun

For children themselves, wonder remains abundant—in the bigness of a Tyrannosaurus rex in a museum, or the flicker of fireflies in the summer dusk. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

As anybody who has been camping knows, the flicker of bright flames against the darkness can be as much a visual distraction as a point of focus. — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026