as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in flaring
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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
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Hours into shooting this scene, the constantly flickering lights become somewhat nauseating.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
All of that said, nothing compares to watching real flames flickering in front of you as fresh snow falls outside.
—Dean Stattmann, Outside, 19 Oct. 2025
Follow the flickering jack-o-lanterns to The Meadow for games, music and seasonal food and drink around the firepits.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
There's never been a flickering light or a slamming door or flickering in the corner of your eyes ever since.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Frankincense and resins open the composition, mingling with tonka and vanilla bean for a sensual, sophisticated, and addictive aroma that invites you to linger beside a boutique hotel’s flickering fireplace on a cold night.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Guests at The Borland House Bed & Breakfast in Montgomery have reported footsteps, flickering TVs, and shadowy figures while staying at the 1780s home.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
If your lights are flickering, call an electrician.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Adjective
Admirers can switch between nine lighting modes, including warm white and multicolor hues, as well as flickering and flashing light shows.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Hours into shooting this scene, the constantly flickering lights become somewhat nauseating.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
All of that said, nothing compares to watching real flames flickering in front of you as fresh snow falls outside.
—Dean Stattmann, Outside, 19 Oct. 2025
Follow the flickering jack-o-lanterns to The Meadow for games, music and seasonal food and drink around the firepits.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
There's never been a flickering light or a slamming door or flickering in the corner of your eyes ever since.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Frankincense and resins open the composition, mingling with tonka and vanilla bean for a sensual, sophisticated, and addictive aroma that invites you to linger beside a boutique hotel’s flickering fireplace on a cold night.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Guests at The Borland House Bed & Breakfast in Montgomery have reported footsteps, flickering TVs, and shadowy figures while staying at the 1780s home.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
If your lights are flickering, call an electrician.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flickering
Verb
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But such is the lightning pace of Mbappe that he might be best placed dropping deeper during build-up before darting in-behind.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The pursuit lasted about 13 minutes over 4 miles, with the driver weaving through lanes, darting in and out of oncoming traffic, and reaching nearly 100 mph, according to police.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 spaces are smaller, with lower benches, and the older players, flitting between dressing rooms for U14s and U12s, have had to take their belongings home each day rather than leave them in lockers due to the carousel of teams moving in and out.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The episode ends with a haunting overhead shot of the yard dotted with frozen clusters of kids in gray jumpsuits and the frantic staff outfitted in bright orange, flitting among them.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The opening introduces her character aglow in red light, complemented by a narrated monologue, vaguely written but delivered as pure, possibly suicidal despair.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
-
This two-bedroom home in the Hollywood Hills has a spacious outside deck that’s best enjoyed during golden hour, when the whole city is aglow.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Bolas spider creates a silk lasso to catch fluttering moths.—
Kate Siber,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
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On my most recent visit—December 2024—the foliage was just past its peak, with some bare trees and lots of fluttering yellow leaves.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When Bruce began touring and selling out arenas, Adele became famous for dancing with her son on stage—including at 90 years old, during a show in 2016.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Social media detectives speculated the NBA player and artist were dating back in July when they were spotted dancing together at a nightclub in Cabo for GloRilla’s 26th birthday.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Freddie Freeman won an eight-pitch tussle with Gausman by flicking a two-out double into the right-field corner.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
While a wagging dog’s tail might indicate excitement or friendliness, a flicking cat’s tail can signal irritation.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In a surprising discovery, our team has detected glowing nickel vapor in the gas surrounding the incoming interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS at an extraordinary distance from the sun, where temperatures remain far too cold for metals to normally vaporize.—
Darryl Seligman,
Space.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Generally speaking, the worse a cop behaves, the more glowing his job evaluations.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flickering. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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