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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of licking
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
It's built according to MIL-STD 810H standards to take a licking.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The Chocolate Brownie Batter flavor was my first try, mostly because any brand that claims something tastes like licking brownie batter off the spoon must be challenged.
—Samantha Leal, Refinery29, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for licking
Noun
Predictably, Korda took a licking.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
It's built according to MIL-STD 810H standards to take a licking.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Other photos showed Owen proudly licking the faces of his owners and getting some hugs and pats from the reality star, her husband and children.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The Chocolate Brownie Batter flavor was my first try, mostly because any brand that claims something tastes like licking brownie batter off the spoon must be challenged.
—Samantha Leal, Refinery29, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for licking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licking
Noun
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Today, Cordell reflects on his beating stoically.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Outside spending and guidance, Amazon's reported fourth quarter results were solid, with revenue and operating income beating expectations.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rain pounding against windows and ocean waves crashing into the foundations of shoreline homes with wind gusts of over 60 mph — what may sound like a stormy September day in Florida took place in Milford during Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020.—
Maleena Muzio,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
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Russia has been pounding Ukraine's critical infrastructure, hoping to wear down public resistance to the war while leaving many around the country having to endure the dead of winter without heat.—
AAMER MADHANI AND SUSIE BLANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dirksen was elected to the Senate in 1950, defeating Scott Lucas, the incumbent Democrat and Senate majority leader.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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McBeth had a successful week for Saratoga, defeating her 11th-grade opponent from MacDonald High 13-1 on Tuesday.—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Stafford also engineered late game-winning drives in playoff victories over the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears before the Rams suffered a 31-27 defeat by the Seahawks in the NFC championship.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Seattle bounced back from a defeat against the Ducks at Honda Center 24 hours earlier that snapped a four-game win streak.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When washed with ethanol, the hydrogel appeared transparent, hiding the image entirely.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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Wild forward Nico Sturm has been breaking in his Team Germany skates at a few Minnesota practices, and joked about hiding his on-ice moves from NHL teammates that may be foes in Italy.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
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Raised in a rural village four hours from the Algerian capital, Khelif sold scrap copper as a young girl to fund her training, overcoming significant economic and societal hurdles.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Well, at least there’s a Super Bowl ad that addresses the frustration many may be feeling, courtesy of the company that provides pills for hair loss, weight loss and libido loss.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Payton’s longtime assistant, Lombardi was fired a few days after the Broncos’ AFC Championship Game loss.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said earlier Monday that his caucus would have a discussion on the contempt resolutions later in the week but remained noncommittal on whipping votes against them.—
Stephen Groves,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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The safer one involved whipping once around the moon’s far side and then relying on lunar gravity to slingshot the spacecraft back to Earth.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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