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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of licking
PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
In some cases, constant licking that can't be interrupted may be a sign of canine OCD.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025
Ramona refuses to introduce them to Noah, so Emily finds a work-around, which is tricking Chauncey the dog into licking her by using the meat from a cheeseburger slider.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for licking
Noun
It's built according to MIL-STD 810H standards to take a licking.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
In some cases, constant licking that can't be interrupted may be a sign of canine OCD.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Refrain from licking, picking or biting your lips.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025
Ramona refuses to introduce them to Noah, so Emily finds a work-around, which is tricking Chauncey the dog into licking her by using the meat from a cheeseburger slider.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for licking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licking
Noun
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School desegregation, voting rights and public-accommodation battles – especially across the South – had led to shootings and beatings of African Americans by white counterprotesters and police.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
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Non-league Macclesfield Town produced one of the FA Cup’s most startling soccer upsets on Saturday beating titleholders Crystal Palace 2–1 in a third‑round thriller.—
Reuters 17 hr ago,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Russia has been pounding Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with drones and missiles in recent weeks, a tactic used in previous winters.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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But those massive events aren’t the only way for fans to experience the heart-pounding thrills and sense of community that only live sports can deliver.—
Ava Wallace,
Washington Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Matt Bryant kicks a 49-yard field goal with 8 seconds left and the Atlanta Falcons bounce back after blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, defeating Seattle 30-28 in an NFC divisional playoff game.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Fortunately, Pep Guardiola’s side had a similarly testing tie, defeating League One Exeter City 10-1.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Quick was hardly to blame for New York's eighth defeat in nine games, with mistakes by teammates in front of him putting the veteran goaltender in all sorts of difficult positions.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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The debate follows the November defeat of Proposition Q, a ballot measure that would have increased Austin’s property tax rate by 20% to fund public safety and infrastructure projects.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Right now, the overstock outlet is hiding miracle-working gardening tools, like this $4 gardening hoe and a $7 weed puller.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2026
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Even the front door had been hiding back there for who knows how long, just waiting to be salvaged.—
Gina Mayfield,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The team overcoming those injuries defined the season.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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The search company has been on the rise after putting together the pieces for its AI comeback and overcoming key regulatory hurdles last year.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But those guards fell crashing down on Wednesday night in a brutally honest assessment of his team following Boise State’s (9-6, 1-3 Mountain West) 75-58 home loss to Grand Canyon (9-5, 2-1) at ExtraMile Arena.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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Despite the losses, Damon traveled to Texas and won the national title, dedicating the victory to his family and supporters.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The cold weather shouldn’t be a huge factor unless the wind starts whipping.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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The wind was whipping throughout Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, that day, which had a massive impact on the kicking game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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