as in darted
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh
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Recent Examples of flickered
This world flickered into view between 1933 and 1943, a decade when the US government treated art as a public resource rather than a private luxury.
—
John P. Murphy, ARTnews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Delicate little needles in the windows that flickered up and then sifted back down.
—Caleb Crain, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The dots flickered and subsided, only to reappear again in greater numbers and with growing intensity.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
On Friday in Sacramento, the magic that carried Valley Christian from a 9-15 regular season to the brink of a state title flickered one last time before finally running out.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Its tongue flickered, sensing the currents of pandemonium, and then the forked tip touched my cheek.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Candlelight flickered against vibrant tanzanite, sky blue topaz and canary yellow diamonds on Tuesday night at Sunset Tower Hotel, where Pomellato gathered brand ambassadors and celebrity stylists to mark the reopening of its Beverly Hills flagship, unveiled in October.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Officers captured the scene using a drone, which showed the man balancing on the unicycle as flames flickered just feet from passing vehicles.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
In the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union, electricity in Yerevan flickered for as little as an hour a day.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
John P. Murphy, ARTnews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Delicate little needles in the windows that flickered up and then sifted back down.
—Caleb Crain, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The dots flickered and subsided, only to reappear again in greater numbers and with growing intensity.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
On Friday in Sacramento, the magic that carried Valley Christian from a 9-15 regular season to the brink of a state title flickered one last time before finally running out.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Its tongue flickered, sensing the currents of pandemonium, and then the forked tip touched my cheek.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Candlelight flickered against vibrant tanzanite, sky blue topaz and canary yellow diamonds on Tuesday night at Sunset Tower Hotel, where Pomellato gathered brand ambassadors and celebrity stylists to mark the reopening of its Beverly Hills flagship, unveiled in October.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Officers captured the scene using a drone, which showed the man balancing on the unicycle as flames flickered just feet from passing vehicles.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
In the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union, electricity in Yerevan flickered for as little as an hour a day.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flickered
Verb
-
Suddenly, a hummingbird darted up into the insect swarm, rolling, diving and maneuvering in what was obviously an attempt to catch some of the very tiny bugs.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Seconds later, one of his young grandchildren darted out of the darkness and towards him.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These words are fascinating to consider in relation to Soderbergh, who has flitted among genres and subjects with a facility that is easily mistaken for dilettantism, or even ventriloquism.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Villaraigosa flitted around the racers’ VIP tent, spotted a bowl of fortune cookies and made a beeline.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Stars forward Arttu Hyry had what appeared to be a wide-open look at a tying goal in the slot, but misfired as the puck fluttered over the net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As Ember brushed past to turn on the lamp, one of the sheets came unstuck and fluttered out into the hallway, caught in her slight draft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
White flicked home a diving header, off an entry pass played by Bruno Caicedo, to cap the scoring in the 87th minute.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
There was one possible offside from the initial cross, a second if the ball had been flicked on in the next phase, followed by doubt over whether the Coventry City striker had scored with his arm.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One day later, Smith shared a video of Cline dyeing Easter eggs while his mom sang and danced.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The group members sang and danced with military precision to songs with huge hooks and an insanely loud beat.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flickered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flickered. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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