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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of licking
Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
Predictably, Korda took a licking.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
On April 30, 2025, the dog was reportedly licking its tail and lethargic.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for licking
Noun
At one point, Teddy’s hair had gotten so matted from the frequent licking that the vet had to partially sedate him and shear away most of his fur.
—Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
Predictably, Korda took a licking.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
The spotless streets are polished nightly by the feet of families licking ice cream.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
On April 30, 2025, the dog was reportedly licking its tail and lethargic.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for licking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licking
Noun
-
During pregame warmups David Beckham and the Mas brothers walked toward the end-zone where all the most rabid fans do the flag-waving and drum-beating and raised their hands to applaud the cheering fans.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The Dodgers scored five times in the first two innings – four on two doubles by Freddie Freeman – and went on to hand the Washington Nationals another beating, 10-5, on Saturday at Nationals Park.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Viewers shared videos showing intense rain and wind pounding the neighborhood as outdoor furniture was sent flying.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
There's been no country that's ever taken a pounding like that.—
Rachel Scott,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Head coach Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines hoists the trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the national championship of the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team is headed back to the national championship game for the third time in the last four years after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini, 71-62, in the Final Four.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One night after his team squandered three separate leads in an overtime defeat at Utah, McDavid delivered the kind of performance Edmonton needed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Check out the vibes following defeats.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The fourth-largest barrier reef in the world, Anegada's Horseshoe Reef draws beginner snorkelers and dedicated divers to colorful corals hiding sublime marine life.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This is a pipeline-optionality story hiding inside a cash-flow machine.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But at the end of the day, Pasricha said, normalizing people doing human things in our homes without judgment and overcoming this embarrassment are important.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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And, in a perfectly fitting twist, UConn can cement that status by overcoming a Michigan powerhouse that is racking up historically impressive numbers, hoping to go down as one of the sport's greatest teams itself.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No matter the result, Curry is back and healthy at long last for the Warriors after a right knee injury, and everyone at Chase Center celebrated right along with him in Golden State's 117-116 loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Senior Devon Blair will be the top starter for the Vikings and finished with a 16-strikeout contest in a tough loss to Northbridge in the postseason.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The famously-shy sophomore obliged, several of her teammates whipping out their phones to record the big moment.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Supergirl trailer shows him hootin' and hollerin' while doing donuts on his cycle and whipping his chain weapon around a horde of assailants.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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