as in flaring
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as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh
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Recent Examples of flickering
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
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
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Taper candles can add interest to a dining table, and votives can create flickering light on a patio.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
The cozy 7th Avenue spot features an open kitchen, a long food bar, lots of moody flickering candlelight, and soothing blonde wood, perfect for falling in love—with pizza and whomever might be sitting across from you.
—Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
Trapped there, Goggins manifests both versions of his character at once, flickering between flashbacks of the steady Cooper and the present-day, tortured Ghoul.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The restaurant is set in a historic, 1850s-era building, with an intimate but lively dining room decked with glistening chandeliers and warm candlelight flickering on cream brick walls.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
What these Studies Mean for Human Intelligence The flickering neurons inside the zebrafish brain give a tiny life form the ability to measure and navigate its world.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Sucking them in and spitting them out all at once, like shadows flickering on the wall of the cave.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Something always seems to be lurking in the periphery, glinting off the edges of mirrors, flickering across those black wings offstage.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
This year, the rumors swirl, a constant, low hum: Outer Heaven and Cuatro Gato, two more flickering lights, are expected to fade.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
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
Can flickering lights and sound slow Alzheimer’s?
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Taper candles can add interest to a dining table, and votives can create flickering light on a patio.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
The cozy 7th Avenue spot features an open kitchen, a long food bar, lots of moody flickering candlelight, and soothing blonde wood, perfect for falling in love—with pizza and whomever might be sitting across from you.
—Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
Trapped there, Goggins manifests both versions of his character at once, flickering between flashbacks of the steady Cooper and the present-day, tortured Ghoul.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The restaurant is set in a historic, 1850s-era building, with an intimate but lively dining room decked with glistening chandeliers and warm candlelight flickering on cream brick walls.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
What these Studies Mean for Human Intelligence The flickering neurons inside the zebrafish brain give a tiny life form the ability to measure and navigate its world.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Sucking them in and spitting them out all at once, like shadows flickering on the wall of the cave.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Something always seems to be lurking in the periphery, glinting off the edges of mirrors, flickering across those black wings offstage.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flickering
Adjective
-
Red dwarfs are also prone to violently flaring and the outpouring of radiation from them can strip an atmosphere clean off a planet.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
After the orchestra launches in with a full flaring sound, the cello takes the lead on a sweet, almost pensive solo.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Meta boss appeared in a dark suit and gray tie, his signature chestnut curls slightly mussed, darting occasional nervous looks at the jury and the 20-year-old plaintiff, who sat in the courtroom gallery.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Helicopter footage showed the man darting out from the wrecked Charger in a black T-shirt and white shorts.—
Jacob Beltran,
San Antonio Express-News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Mustaine says, his words aglow.—
Jon Wiederhorn,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In February, for about a two week period, the setting sun lights the waterfall aglow with orange hues for about eight minutes, creating one of the most breathtaking, and sought-after, national park experiences that’s over in the blink of an eye.—
Mary Beth Skylis,
Outside,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Here’s what to do to get rid of pesky moths flitting around indoors.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Men have been doing it for decades, flitting between the low-brow and the high-brow without losing any of their Serious Actor sheen in the process.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
Verb
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Pugh’s dress wholly evoked dark glamour, with a high neckline, fluttering short sleeves and a hint of contrasting fabric throughout the design of the dress.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Stroll the Butterfly Garden to see butterflies fluttering about the plants that were planted especially to give them a home.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As for glam, Hudson’s makeup artist, Naoko Scintu, executed a glowing visage.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Otherwise, skin was kept fresh and glowing—thanks in large part to Furtuna Skin’s lineup.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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See the scene And while a big tent on the beach packed with people downing burgers, drinking tequila or Kim Crawford wine and dancing to a DJ with a soft spot for Bad Bunny is not exactly luxurious, the black truffle remained for this event.—
Connie Ogle
Updated February 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Keep them tucked in for subtle, low-light intimacy, or open them fully and get everyone dancing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flickering. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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