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
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
At 5-foot-7 and 207 pounds, he is considered undersized for the NFL, but he’s proved able to carry a heavy workload and can take a licking.
—Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Erotica assumes shared association, touching, stroking, licking, looking, playing, exposing.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for licking
Noun
Lip licking is another confusing signal from canines.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
At 5-foot-7 and 207 pounds, he is considered undersized for the NFL, but he’s proved able to carry a heavy workload and can take a licking.
—Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
Despite her best efforts, 4-year-old Dewey eventually succeeded in wriggling his way over to the sleeping man, enthusiastically licking him awake.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Erotica assumes shared association, touching, stroking, licking, looking, playing, exposing.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for licking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licking
Noun
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Sentencing for two other officers involved in the beating, Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills Jr., was also set for next week.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 June 2025
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Ukrainians said they were subjected to beatings, electric shocks and dog attacks by Russian authorities, not only to extract information but to intimidate and humiliate them.—
Richard Engel,
NBC news,
11 June 2025
Verb
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But the unhappy ending is especially head-pounding for Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger).—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
24 Mar. 2025
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Queen finished with a team-best 17 points, but Maryland frequently settled for outside jumpers instead of pounding the ball inside to Queen and Julian Reese.—
Lindsay Schnell,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Although an appeal remains possible, the ruling delivers a decisive and public defeat for Baldoni and Wayfarer in their attempt to reframe the fallout over the film.—
Josh Rottenberg,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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The Champions League brought an elimination at the hands of Real Madrid in the Round of 16 and there was heartbreak in the FA Cup final for the second consecutive year with defeat to Cyrstal Palace.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
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But over the past two terms of the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these vendors were accused of hiding their identity, of pretending to be Hindu.—
Ismat Ara,
TIME,
15 Mar. 2025
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Davis standing alongside Withers struck me as a classy gesture, and Withers answering for his mistake rather than hiding from the media was another.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Louisville’s Jack Brown (5-5) was tagged with the loss after allowing a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
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The lack of playing time this season for Reyes, in particular, may have burned the Yankees’ chances for possibly pulling out a win in a 10-7 loss against Boston on Saturday.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Elle was also seen whipping her hands in a circle to the music during the awards ceremony.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
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This instant camera captures little moments and big occasions on film, which feels a little more special than whipping out an iPhone.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The unit uses tools that were once the preserve of the world’s top mastering houses and is inspired by the artistry of mastering engineers.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
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From entry-level careers to the C-suite, mastering soft skills opens up leadership opportunities.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That’s more aggressive trimming than the committee did last May.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
27 May 2025
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The pet food industry, reliant on salmon oil and trimmings, is also vulnerable to volatility.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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