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
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
That's partly because of the striking all-hard-sided aluminum build, partly because of the Dickinson mini-fireplace flickering away inside, and partly because of the cozy, rustic layout Kimbo has managed to carve out of a tiny space.
—New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
If the power comes flickering on for a few precious hours in the middle of the night, that’s when Cubans now rise to wearily cook and iron clothes.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
Three cars back, Borsutzki tracked the woman’s path, the woman flickering in and out of view between the trunks and branches of the hardwood trees.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
But public resistance to the Islamic Republic is still flickering on Iranian college campuses.
—ABC News, 27 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
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
For years, my bedroom TV was a heavy, buzzing relic from my college days that required a specific magic tap on the side just to stop the screen from flickering.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
That's partly because of the striking all-hard-sided aluminum build, partly because of the Dickinson mini-fireplace flickering away inside, and partly because of the cozy, rustic layout Kimbo has managed to carve out of a tiny space.
—New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
If the power comes flickering on for a few precious hours in the middle of the night, that’s when Cubans now rise to wearily cook and iron clothes.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
Three cars back, Borsutzki tracked the woman’s path, the woman flickering in and out of view between the trunks and branches of the hardwood trees.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
But public resistance to the Islamic Republic is still flickering on Iranian college campuses.
—ABC News, 27 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
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
-
There was the usual assemblage of male and female Anna’s and just a couple of the Allen’s darting out occasionally from the sanctuary of the nearby tree to drink nectar from the hanging feeders.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
This time, my eyes slid to the fresh silver polish on her fingernails, her cascading perm thick but without any undergrowth, and those eyes darting from me to the cop, glistening as if on the verge of pouring.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Mar. 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
-
Spring's warmth is settling in across southern Michigan, and hummingbirds will soon be flitting about the state.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Jacir wants to show a cross section of people’s responses to these events, but the result often feels like scattershot scenes from a longer miniseries, flitting from one character to another with little narrative thrust or cohesion.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
-
October marks the start of butterfly season, with vibrant swarms fluttering well into the green season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The sudden movement sends the birds fluttering away from you, to watch and wait.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The glowing hose creates a visible path that helps rescuers navigate thick smoke and find their way back to safety.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Beneath that display of hot gases, a glowing fringe of orange on the rim indicated that the edges of the fire were pushing out far to the east and west.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In last season’s finale, Coop and Mel shared a kiss and a moment while dancing.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Folk dances abound all across the country, and huge crowds of people can be found dancing at festivals and weddings.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flickering. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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