as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
the horse's tail flicked in restless irritation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flicking
Kamara found it a couple of hours before kick-off when flicking through a copy of the matchday programme.
—
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 23 May 2026
The dragons stalk the island, flicking their huge tongues in hopes of picking up the scent of a deer, wild boar, or water buffalo — the latter two species introduced by humans — or rodents and other smaller reptiles, including baby Komodo dragons.
—Craig Stanford, Big Think, 7 May 2026
This could be the bookworm equivalent of jet setting, perhaps—seeking out the places we’re taken to while flicking the pages.
—Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
Edmundson, who’d lost MacKinnon on his first goal, atoned by receiving Kempe’s pass in the high slot and flicking a shot that clipped Wedgewood on its way into the net.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Maza drew in Hamburg players before flicking the ball on for Kofane, who lashed it into the top-left corner.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
The name Dekopin in Japanese refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
In Japanese, the word refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026
Just a bit self-conscious, and sometimes the hair flicking and all that.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 23 May 2026
The dragons stalk the island, flicking their huge tongues in hopes of picking up the scent of a deer, wild boar, or water buffalo — the latter two species introduced by humans — or rodents and other smaller reptiles, including baby Komodo dragons.
—Craig Stanford, Big Think, 7 May 2026
This could be the bookworm equivalent of jet setting, perhaps—seeking out the places we’re taken to while flicking the pages.
—Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
Edmundson, who’d lost MacKinnon on his first goal, atoned by receiving Kempe’s pass in the high slot and flicking a shot that clipped Wedgewood on its way into the net.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Maza drew in Hamburg players before flicking the ball on for Kofane, who lashed it into the top-left corner.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
The name Dekopin in Japanese refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
In Japanese, the word refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026
Just a bit self-conscious, and sometimes the hair flicking and all that.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flicking
Verb
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Everyone else is darting glances back and forth between us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
In the heyday of her career, her choppy hair, flat chest, sickly pallor and large darting eyes were a manic pixie dream.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Early mornings at Mukwa are quiet, with mist rising off the river and birds flitting along the river bank.—
Sarah Kingdom,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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In the garden, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies can be found flitting among the dazzling blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Roswell visitors spent the weekend surrounded by fluttering wings, native plants, and hands-on learning as the Chattahoochee Nature Center kicked off its annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
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Video showed the Israeli flag fluttering from atop the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle while black smoke billowed from the nearby town of Arnoun.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
31 May 2026
Verb
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And also to revisit a lovesick Gael García Bernal and Timothée Chalamet dancing to the Psychedelic Furs.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
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Fiction can be tempting when facts prove elusive, and Tannahill’s series cherishes dancing between the demanding allure of the unknown and the fearful certainty of what can happen when pursuing it.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flicking. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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