as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
the horse's tail flicked in restless irritation
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Recent Examples of flicking
Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.
—
ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
While you guys had staff inside laughing, pointing and even flicking off the crowd outside.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
While you guys had staff inside laughing, pointing and even flicking off the crowd outside.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flicking
Verb
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Inevitably, someone ended up swinging a quilt around to mimic the great snake’s darting heads and churning coils.—
Seamus Sullivan
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
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Their direct running, with pace and purpose, darting into spaces, meant Liverpool were under pressure from the speed with which Palace moved the ball in transition.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Expect flocks of vibrant flamingos and tiny flitting hummingbirds spreading their wings over the turquoise waters and tangles of mangroves that unfold across lagoons that stretch parallel to the sea.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the village is known for its year-round recreation and ubiquitous aspen trees, which make a stunning (albeit short) shift from fluttering green to bright yellow and orange with hints of red.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
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Yet there is still a whiff of old-fashioned British grandeur about the production, with its fluttering pennants, Norman kite shields, and mounted knights.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Quit dancing around the dialogue as Mercury and Chiron clash.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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The clip finds Meg rocking camo pants, tan boots and a wool hat while dancing to the track in the studio.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flicking. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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