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
The soon-to-be 26-year-old left winger scored at the end of the first half on a breakaway, casually flicking the ball past Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide.
—
CBS News,
20 June 2026
The Americans were less cohesive without Pulisic in the second half, but Reyna still added the finishing touch by gliding into the box and toe-flicking home his first World Cup goal.
—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Starting in place of Edin Dzeko (shoulder) and Haris Tabakovic (undisclosed), Lukic was in a ideal position to cap a set piece with captain Sead Kolasinac flicking along a header off Ivan Basic’s corner kick.
—
John Wawrow,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
The teaser trailer shows a gang of cats hanging out on a rooftop, with one flicking its claws like a mobster would a knife.
—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
11 June 2026
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
CBS News,
20 June 2026
The Americans were less cohesive without Pulisic in the second half, but Reyna still added the finishing touch by gliding into the box and toe-flicking home his first World Cup goal.
—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Starting in place of Edin Dzeko (shoulder) and Haris Tabakovic (undisclosed), Lukic was in a ideal position to cap a set piece with captain Sead Kolasinac flicking along a header off Ivan Basic’s corner kick.
—
John Wawrow,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
The teaser trailer shows a gang of cats hanging out on a rooftop, with one flicking its claws like a mobster would a knife.
—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
11 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flicking
Verb
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Sweden’s Hien had no idea how to stop Brobbey’s darting runs when looking to connect with crosses from out wide and the striker routinely bullies bigger boys before either scoring or creating for others.
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The Griz constantly pumps the rod to get his bait darting forward and then dropping back.
Verb
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Within moments, someone pointed out a starling flitting across the hazy sky.
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The stairs bear witness to feet, flitting up and down, a whispering flood of life that has carried us forth to this day.
Verb
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But Curls Ultra aren’t solely interested in resurrecting the mysticism of the past or indulging in the parties of the present, the occasional fluttering flute solo or boisterous sax line notwithstanding.
-
Red, black and gold flags are flying from car bonnets and fluttering on balconies, especially on matchdays.
Verb
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Cape Verde's been leading the offense, with several opportunities dancing around the Saudi net, but without precision.
-
Attendees donning only red and white were the happiest in the park, dancing along to the DJ’s half-time playlist.
Cite this Entry
“Flicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flicking. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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