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
The firefighters made camp at two in the morning, reclining on the pillowy grass, and ate dinner around a flickering campfire. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 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 This set comes with three plastic flameless candles designed with a black wick and a flickering flame for a realistic-looking, warm glow. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026 Muluk Spa is relatively compact with serene treatment rooms illuminated by flickering candle-like lights. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026 Preclinical work and a feasibility study found that flickering light and sound at 40 Hz for an hour a day had potential to slow cognitive decline and volume loss in parts of the brain critical for memory. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026 Patients see flickering lights faster than a standard strobe and hear rapid clicking tones. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026 Vermeer’s pictures are often observed to harbor spiritual meanings as well as material ones, flickering back and forth between the two. — Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 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
  • Then, after a bullet hit Kirk, Robinson could be seen darting across the roof, dropping to ground level and sprinting away on foot, Hull added.
    — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Chelsea attack with venom; Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers are darting flashes of blue steel.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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
  • For Arbaeen, the lights inside the shrine and the flags fluttering from its golden dome are switched to red – the color of vengeance.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Some people feel a racing heartbeat or fluttering in their chest.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of fluttering
Adjective
  • Set the scene The lobby is a vast, bubble-era set piece—soaring double-height ceilings gridded with geometric lights, warm wood paneling, and a glowing staircase.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid delivers hydration and keeps skin smooth and glowing, plus there’s niacinamide and licorice extract to brighten and even the complexion.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • Savchenko has been actively pursuing opportunities outside of dancing and is dabbling with a career in acting.
    — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • At its El Segundo headquarters, dancing bots priced from about $2,000 to nearly $90,000 could fill roles in education, housework, security and warehouses.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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