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
Humans will see the screen as a continuous motion, but dogs, on the other hand, perceive the images as a series of flickering pictures. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 Breaking cover, all posts on the London four-piece’s Instagram page were swiftly archived, while its previously dormant TikTok account began to flicker into life. Sophie Williams, Billboard, 1 May 2025
Noun
Researchers were documenting flickers of potential consciousness in some supposedly vegetative patients. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025 As an old radio in the pile emits a steady hiss of static, some screens flicker and others stay still. Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flicker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flicker
Verb
  • On a 13-foot-tall wall almost 40 feet across, a kaleidoscope of metal butterflies are now in flight, fluttering around a centerpiece painting on aluminum metal.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
  • On an interior mural, a lac bird flutters its wings.
    Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Robbie's next movie, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, opens on Sept. 19.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • Overseas, Lilo & Stitch likewise went up against Final Reckoning nearly everywhere, although the M:I movie began rolling out in a handful of major markets last weekend via previews.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Beyond the playoffs, NBA Draft, and flurry of early-summer free agency moves, the large majority of the NBA calendar plays out on regional sports networks.
    John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Posey sent a message, and that message was received. Led by Johnson, Ramos and plenty of others, the Giants responded to this morning’s flurry of roster moves by erasing a five-run deficit against the San Diego Padres to beat their divisional rival, 6-5.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Here is what the judges had to say about it: Aromas of delicate agave and hints of herbs provide an inviting nose.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • There’s been speculation in the Russian and Western media about areas for possible negotiation, and the outcome of the Istanbul talks are being closely watched for any hints of flexibility.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Those skills apparently translate fairly easily into urban environments, where Cooper’s hawks flit amid trees and concrete landscapes, stalking city pigeons and doves.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
  • Small miracles spare the staff Most Saturdays, Abdallah and his staff are flitting between patient rooms and laboratories, sterilizing equipment, checking on growing embryos and walking hopeful parents through the arduous process of in vitro fertilization.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • The film was shot at stage 17 at Paramount Studios, with a massive set created to replicate the Greenwich Village courtyard and building.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Lucan Toh of Two & Two Pictures and Ian Henry of London Film & TV produced the film alongside XYZ Films.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Short bursts of revenue can flatter results but may not create lasting value, so make decisions with a long horizon in mind.
    Ayo Adepoju, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The successful challenge appeared to give Florida a burst of energy, but the Panthers could not convert on any of their chances in the shutout loss.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Sinner gave him almost no chances, but there was a glimmer of light in the 10th game, when Djokovic had four chances to break Sinner’s serve.
    Jerome Pugmire, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • The shoes and matching Bon Bon bag added a splash of color and glimmer to the look.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flicker. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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