as in defeats
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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lickings
Noun
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Widely tipped to make it out of Group D, Vincenzo Montella’s side are already out of the competition following back-to-back defeats to Australia and Paraguay.
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Unfortunately, all Bills fans remember how those ended – four straight defeats.
Noun
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According to prosecutors, who cited testimony and evidence at McCue's trial, the children allegedly suffered severe beatings and were forced to wear shock collars and stand naked on cinder blocks for hours or sometimes days at a time.
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Others targeted with beatings and forms of public shaming — including children — were accused of theft, drug trafficking or illegally selling tobacco.
Noun
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Many of the attacks targeted energy infrastructure and commercial sites, causing billions of dollars of economic losses and shattering their image as a safe haven for foreign travel and investment.
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Bond puts increase in value when bond prices fall and interest rates rise, allowing investors to offset losses elsewhere in their portfolios if borrowing costs jump unexpectedly.
Noun
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There was physical violence as well — whippings, beatings, even bricks thrown.
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Michael’s tendency to speak up earned him frequent whippings with his father’s belt.
Noun
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After several players, including Addison Barger and Anthony Santander, dealt with setbacks, Daulton Varsho recently left a game with left wrist discomfort, adding to the team's woes.
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Retirement often arrives suddenly and unexpectedly, triggered by health setbacks or corporate downsizing.
Noun
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Save Cheese Rinds and Vegetable Trimmings Instead of giving that last nib of Parmesan or cured meat trimmings the heave-ho, use them to transform a stock, braise, soup, or sauce.
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Kate’s coatdress, designed by Catherine Walker, featured light blue buttons with white trimmings on the edges of her lapels and pockets to match her hat, which featured a light blue outer rim with a white center.
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“Lickings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lickings. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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