flickering 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of flickeringnext
as in flaring

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Dissimilar Words

flickering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of flicker
as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 flickering
Adjective
But there’s more flickering contrast in Narayan van Maele’s lensing, which alternates dun realism with occasionally hyperreal lighting and composition, particularly when the pagan promise of fire is in the frame. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Mar. 2022
Verb
Spend enough time moving through Tokyo, and their faces have a way of finding you, like flickering across the screens mounted behind taxi headrests. — Crystal Bell, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026 The apparently bulky buildings and trees of the 3D game world around us would actually be pixels flickering on a flat screen. — Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026 Visitors to the theater have reported cold air on hot days, lights mysteriously flickering off and strange activity in the balcony. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026 In the flickering flame of firelight, the stutters take on a zoetrope effect, creating the illusion of rhinos in motion. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026 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 The Marlins’ fleeting, flickering hopes of a playoff berth grew dimmer Saturday when the Cubs beat them for the second day in a row, continuing an inauspicious start to an important nine-game homestand. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026 And whether there are strict campfire bans in place or not, the FireFold is ready to serve as the flickering centerpiece of base camp. — New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flickering
  1. flaring
  2. darting
  3. aglow
  4. flitting
  5. smoldering
  6. fluttering
  7. glowing
  8. dancing
Adjective
  • With their swollen, flaring buttresses and soaring heights of 80 feet or more, the trees are awe-inspiring when reflected in the dark water.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • Though the maximum rate is only about four per hour, the stream does provide slow-moving flaring fireballs, and a careful observer may be nicely rewarded for the time spent.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of flaring
Verb
  • Thank you to the San Francisco Zoo for their expertise darting the lion and documenting the scene.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • One TikTok of the scrappy piggy dodging cars and darting between would-be animal rescuers’ legs racked up nearly a half million views.
    — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of darting
Adjective
  • Minassian transformed the Palazzo Gavazzi space into a Caviar Bar with vaulted ceilings aglow in custom copper, silver and smoky-gray mirrors that amplify light and depth.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The remnant’s northern part is aglow with gamma rays from accelerated protons, however—indicating the shock is interacting with a dense cloud of ionized hydrogen gas called the S249 H II region.
    — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 21 July 2026
Definition of aglow
Verb
  • Upon further review of the camera footage, Sam Gough, a park supervisor for the Incline Village General Improvement District, said the light appeared to be just a bug flitting across the lens.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • An airy, not-too-sweet vanilla like Taunt is the perfect encapsulation of a Gemini who’s always flitting from one topic of interest to the next.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026
Definition of flitting
Adjective
  • Casting two of the most smoldering contemporary actors on the planet clearly stacks the deck, and carries on the long tradition of pairing a dashing figure of brooding handsomeness (Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes) with a breathless screen beauty (Merle Oberon, Juliette Binoche).
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of smoldering
Verb
  • The dress included a long train, which trailed the actress on the arrival carpet, and was further augmented by a shoulder ornament of fabric that transitioned from fluttering waves to delicate tassels.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Tribute upon floral tribute—their petals, leaves, and memorial cards fluttering in the gentle breeze.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of fluttering
Adjective
  • Its bouncy, jelly-like texture sinks instantly into skin, revealing a glowing, soft complexion in the process.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Its reception at the two very different festivals was equally glowing, with special emphasis on lead John Malkovich, who received both a tribute at Telluride, and an award from the competition jury at Venice, the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • But dancers take the stage too because when Cubans play music, there will assuredly be dancing.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, everyone in the main room is dancing under a glistening disco ball to the syncopations of Riva, a three-piece comprised of a psychedelic saxophonist, drummer and keyboardist.
    — Mary Carreon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of dancing

Browse Nearby Words

flickered
flickering
flickeringly
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Cite this Entry

“Flickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flickering. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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