as in beating
failure to win a contest
our team took a licking last night, but we'll get them next time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pounding
to strike repeatedly
your father will lick you good if he hears you using swear words
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in defeating
to achieve a victory over
he's determined to do everything he can to lick the cancer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of licking
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Predictably, Korda took a licking.
—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Affected animals transfer rabies by biting, licking or scratching other animals and humans.
—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for licking
Noun
The clacking of mouth-swab petrie dishes as they’re loaded into boxes for shipping, the line-by-line licking of complimentary doughnuts at the front desk.
—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Predictably, Korda took a licking.
—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
Monitor pets for behavioral changes, as pets may experience pain, licking or chewing at a wound, loss of appetite and lethargy.
—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Affected animals transfer rabies by biting, licking or scratching other animals and humans.
—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for licking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licking
Noun
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But if the stock market rally that powers the divide fizzles out, the economy could take a significant beating.
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Withstanding territorial beatings from rival lions.
Verb
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Both Ghana and England will walk away with a point after Ghana managed to hold off England in a heart-pounding final few minutes of stoppage time.
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Each time, my heart would start pounding.
Verb
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Head coach Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines hoists the trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63.
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Leviatán has been crowned Valorant Masters London champions, defeating Paper Rex 3-2 in a dramatic grand final.
Noun
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A little more than an hour before his post-match press conference in the bowels of SoFi Stadium, Pochettino watched his USA team give up a last-second goal to Turkey that ensured a 3-2 defeat in this final match of the group stage.
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News of Custer's defeat stunned Americans, who were celebrating their country's centennial.
Verb
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Police officers responding to Leslie Martin’s call and separate reports of a break-in found Doug Martin hiding in a neighbor’s home.
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The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
Verb
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The strategies aim to do away with piecemeal approaches to overcoming the unique challenges that islands and coastal communities face, offering a comprehensive approach, said Raffaele Fitto, European Commission executive vice president for cohesion and reforms.
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How did overcoming addiction play a role in this album?
Noun
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Cruz, who also gave up an RBI single to Anthony Seigler and a game-tying sac fly to Tsung-Che Cheng, made sure to take responsibility for his part in the loss.
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But shareholders have pushed back against hefty pay packages, which come during a period of upheaval in Hollywood that has been buffeted by job losses from media consolidation and outsourcing.
Verb
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Ospreay struck Strickland, who responded by whipping a chain at him.
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Vargas is accused of repeatedly whipping the cab’s hood with a belt, denting it, cops said.
Cite this Entry
“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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