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
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
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
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
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The new report also tracked an increase in antisemitic attacks that resulted in physical harm, including beatings and stone throwing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Chicago police and Cook County Crime Stoppers are searching for the three men and a woman pictured above in connection with the deadly beating of a man in Avondale on March 25.—
Asal Rezaei,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tornado sirens, cell phone alerts, high winds and pounding rain woke up Michigan residents as severe weather pushed through the state overnight Tuesday.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Visitors can enjoy heart-pounding adventures like zip lining through the forest canopy, rock climbing on the gorge’s steep cliffs, and whitewater rafting on the New River’s epic Class I to V rapids.—
Jordan Charbonneau,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tage Thompson scored twice to reach 40 goals on the season, and the Buffalo Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division title by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1 on Monday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Supporters of Hungary’s Tisza party and its lead candidate, Péter Magyar, celebrated in the streets of Budapest after soundly defeating Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party in a general election, removing the autocratic Orbán from office after 16 years.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After England’s decisive defeat, John was forced to confront rebellious barons at home.—
Joëlle Rollo-Koster,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
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The 21-year-old forward’s first-half goal and assist paced the host team to a shocking 3-0 defeat of Sporting KC, marking the Major League Soccer club’s first opening-game exit in this tourney since 2023.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit alleged that Alden facilities often were staffed at just 50 percent of the legal requirements, then hiding it from regulators in part through ghost workers and false reports.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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Stop hiding behind other people and just say it yourself.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Frank said the team could take pride in overcoming its dreadful start to come within a few victories of landing a higher seed that would have assured them a playoff spot, and posting its league-best 15th consecutive winning season.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
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The Halos stormed through the playoffs to this franchise's only championship, overcoming a 3-2 series deficit to Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For thousands of data-loss victims, the last resort is a recovery service called DriveSavers.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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The lack of disclosure comes as other states record mounting losses in tax revenue to data center subsidies.—
Kevin Hardy,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Subtlety never stood a chance, with Cardi leaning fully into the chaos all night — chopping the air with her arms, sticking out her tongue, whipping her head, contorting her body, dropping into splits and backbends without warning.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2026
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State’s attorneys allege the pair engaged in a long-term pattern of mental and physical abuse of young Markell, including whipping him with a belt.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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