lick 1 of 2

noun

Definition of licknext
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument gave the ball a solid lick with the bat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in shred
a very small amount the soup needs just a lick more of salt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in damn
the smallest amount or part imaginable you haven't done a lick of work all day

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lick

2 of 2

verb

ˈlik How to pronounce lick (audio)
1
as in to hide
to strike repeatedly your father will lick you good if he hears you using swear words

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2
as in to master
to achieve a victory over he's determined to do everything he can to lick the cancer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lick
Noun
The championship match turned into a free-for-all with everyone trying to get their licks in before the official woke out of his slumber. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 Today, upgrading a home isn’t only about a lick of new paint or collectible furniture. — Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
Grande licked one of them, and fans were immediately outraged by the moment. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 16 July 2026 Some of the flames come close to licking the glass, as the wildfire blows across the tracks. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lick
  1. blow
  2. shred
  3. damn
  4. hide
  5. master
  6. slap
  7. splash
  8. whit
Noun
  • That was a massive blow, and losing speedy rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell to another knee injury Wednesday didn’t help, either.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • After the dustups, the offense went from taking blows from the defense to delivering some of its own.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • To get on Fauci’s good side was to earn his confidence, his respect, and the benefits of his network of resources; to land on his bad side was to be carved into shreds inside his office, the worst of his rampages audible through the closed door.
    — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • The congress has repeatedly amended the constitution to concentrate power in Ortega’s hands and eliminate any shred of democratic independence and dissent in the country.
    — Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of shred
Noun
  • And if that is to be the case, most Chicagoans do not give a damn whether the team goes to Arlington Heights or Hammond.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
  • In a world of drivers mostly ruled by their corporate sponsors, Busch was an otherworldly talent who simply did not give a damn.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026
Definition of damn
Verb
  • The officers also have drones and helicopters equipped to track people hiding in the dark.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Here, cocktails, snacks, and afternoon tea are served daily and make for a great little spot to hide out from the heavy heat of the day.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • The warrior who masters these qualities can recognize openings others miss and act without hesitation.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Engelbert might never master how to effectively dap and tuck it in like NBA commissioner Adam Silver expertly knows how to greet his players.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of master
Noun
  • While other kids his age were doling out loot bags stuffed with Bazooka bubble gum and slap bracelets, Lovett was recording his favorite music on cassette tapes as party favors.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2026
  • Pro wrestling is often viewed as a fake form of fighting, but the flips, jumps and landings are very real — slaps and kicks landed on reddening skin echo throughout SPW’s venues.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • And teach kids not to drink from the pool or treat splash-pad spouts like drinking fountains.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 July 2026
  • Krinsky said these hires have gotten Reebok several headlines—plus a Netflix documentary—but O’Neal and Iverson are with the company for more than a big PR splash.
    — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of splash
Noun
  • His adoration, here as in all things natural, is infectious, although the birds themselves care not a whit for him, and isn’t that part of the wonder, the fun?
    — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
  • An unconventional structure or new approach bothers them not a whit.
    — Mac Barnett, Longreads, 5 May 2026
Definition of whit

Browse Nearby Words

licit
lick
licked
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Cite this Entry

“Lick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lick. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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