as in licking
to strike repeatedly
the farmer lathered the recalcitrant mule
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Recent Examples of lathering
Just make sure to let the cake layers cool completely before lathering on the frosting.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Then Jason and Thor shower together, each lathering the other’s back and bums up with fewer orgasms than an old Herbal Essences commercial.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
After lathering the grainy texture on to her skin, our tester Tiffany could still smell the soap lingering two hours later.
—Olivia Rose Rushing, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
This creates a better environment for fuller, stronger hair to grow—something our testers began to notice after lathering up with it on a regular basis.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Formulated for normal to dry skin, this gentle daily facial cleanser transforms from a silky oil to a soft, lathering foam that deeply cleanses your skin, effectively removing dirt, excess oil and stubborn makeup without clogging pores, leaving residue or a greasy feeling.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Rather than lathering the hair in gel or wax, women online have been combing hair masks through for a gentle, more hydrating alternative.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Then Jason and Thor shower together, each lathering the other’s back and bums up with fewer orgasms than an old Herbal Essences commercial.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
After lathering the grainy texture on to her skin, our tester Tiffany could still smell the soap lingering two hours later.
—Olivia Rose Rushing, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
This creates a better environment for fuller, stronger hair to grow—something our testers began to notice after lathering up with it on a regular basis.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Formulated for normal to dry skin, this gentle daily facial cleanser transforms from a silky oil to a soft, lathering foam that deeply cleanses your skin, effectively removing dirt, excess oil and stubborn makeup without clogging pores, leaving residue or a greasy feeling.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Rather than lathering the hair in gel or wax, women online have been combing hair masks through for a gentle, more hydrating alternative.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lathering
Verb
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Even small exposures—such as licking pollen off fur or drinking water from a vase containing lilies—can be toxic.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
15 May 2026
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Vietnamese-style sweet-and-spicy chicken wings are a hot, finger-licking mess.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The segments that follow Bonnier de La Chapelle are admittedly more successful and sophisticated, bringing to mind the heart-pounding essence of a Costa-Gavras political thriller.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
25 May 2026
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Moore and Kaveon Jackson took turns pounding the ball on the ground and then Nordman hit Moore with the big touchdown from 15 yards out that set off a wild DeLand celebration on the Bulldogs’ sideline.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Putin is lashing out by intensifying assaults on civilian targets, especially in the capital city of Kyiv.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Goldschmidt, lashing through the unhittable delivery, just stood in dismay.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Throughout the record, the image of Petras’ life in freefall recurs, giving the record a sense of hair-whipping freedom and heart-stopping urgency.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
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In baseball news, Screencaps the III got his very first legitimate hit of the season by lacing one over the second baseman's head last night with winds whipping 20-25 mph off Lake Erie.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The woman’s daughter showed investigators video footage showing Robinson rifling through the woman’s drawers, selecting items and hiding them on her body.—
Kairi Lowery,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2026
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Eggs or young cockroaches may be hiding in them.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Protesters were later seen pelting ICE vehicles with kitchen towels and trash as garbage littered the ground.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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Those incidents follow a disturbing wave of fans pelting performers with objects — from phones that injured Bebe Rexha to aggressive encounters with Billie Eilish — raising alarms about onstage safety.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Everton’s hopes of securing a first win at Old Trafford since 2013 seemed over when midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute for slapping team-mate Michael Keane.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Video from the incident shows Shields slapping Baumgardner's hand to punctuate a heated exchange.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Steyer stepped up his fight in the remaining days, seeking to squeeze into one of the top two spots by battering Becerra in ads and at campaign rallies as a politician propped up by corporate special interests.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
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Wright’s approach to the saxophone is often cubist in nature, reducing the music to isolated phrases and sounds and then battering them from every conceivable angle.—
Levi Dayan,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lathering. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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