1
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the ball a solid lick with the bat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in splashes
a very small amount
the soup needs just a lick more of salt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in damns
the smallest amount or part imaginable
you haven't done a lick of work all day
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in pounds
to strike repeatedly
your father will lick you good if he hears you using swear words
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in masters
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 licks
ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Miami got some good licks on Mendoza, bloodying his lip early on a shot from Jakobe Thomas that probably could have drawn a flag for targeting.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Magazine staffers gathered in the editor’s office and listened in awe to pedal steel licks and tight, pretty harmonies — from the Dead!
—Ben Fong-Torres, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Buzzing melodies of alt-rock drift over midtown and in the places in between—licks, backbeats and inspirations are traded by musicians and producers bar for bar.
—Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
The guitarist, songwriter and record producer was not known for flashy playing, but his spare, catchy licks and solid rhythm chops helped define Memphis soul music.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Sean Kaufman and Christopher Briney locked licks on the Jumbotron.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Nov. 2025
Sexy guitar licks and a groovy rhythm couple together to create a fiery, catchy tune.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
On the title track, a handful of bass licks grow outward into a waiting drum beat.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.
—Megan Sauer
tasia Jensen, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
Weir picked up his first guitar licks from David Nelson and future Jefferson Airplane member Jorma Kaukonen.
—Richard Gehr, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
When asked the question, the owl takes the lollipop and licks it three times before chomping down on its hard shell exterior and handing the stick back to the child.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Hart opted to rap his part, which delighted his ecstatic band-members, the reggae-rhythm providing a steady groove and allowing for Mayer and Anastasio to trade licks back-and-forth.
—Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Nashville's own Grace Bowers sat in with Molly Tuttle, Vince Gill and Peter Frampton trading licks from songs written long before the 18-year-old was born.
—Melonee Hurt, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
She was known to sneak butter from the fridge to enjoy a few finger licks.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Miami got some good licks on Mendoza, bloodying his lip early on a shot from Jakobe Thomas that probably could have drawn a flag for targeting.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Magazine staffers gathered in the editor’s office and listened in awe to pedal steel licks and tight, pretty harmonies — from the Dead!
—Ben Fong-Torres, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Buzzing melodies of alt-rock drift over midtown and in the places in between—licks, backbeats and inspirations are traded by musicians and producers bar for bar.
—Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
The guitarist, songwriter and record producer was not known for flashy playing, but his spare, catchy licks and solid rhythm chops helped define Memphis soul music.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Sean Kaufman and Christopher Briney locked licks on the Jumbotron.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Nov. 2025
Sexy guitar licks and a groovy rhythm couple together to create a fiery, catchy tune.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
On the title track, a handful of bass licks grow outward into a waiting drum beat.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.
—Megan Sauer
tasia Jensen, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
Weir picked up his first guitar licks from David Nelson and future Jefferson Airplane member Jorma Kaukonen.
—Richard Gehr, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
When asked the question, the owl takes the lollipop and licks it three times before chomping down on its hard shell exterior and handing the stick back to the child.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Hart opted to rap his part, which delighted his ecstatic band-members, the reggae-rhythm providing a steady groove and allowing for Mayer and Anastasio to trade licks back-and-forth.
—Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Nashville's own Grace Bowers sat in with Molly Tuttle, Vince Gill and Peter Frampton trading licks from songs written long before the 18-year-old was born.
—Melonee Hurt, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licks
Noun
-
Leftist candidate wins Paris mayoral race The French left won the Paris mayor’s race, one of a number of blows to far-right and center-right challengers in nationwide municipal polls.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
What mattered more than his terseness was that Norris was allowed to land a few meaningful blows against the usually untouchable Lee, who stars as Tang Lung, a fighter summoned to defend a restaurant owner menaced by a crime boss.—
Chris Klimek,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Braves didn’t make many offseason splashes but instead should get a lot of key players back to full health after a disastrous run of injuries throughout 2025.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The design here avoids ski-lodge clichés but maintains splendid common areas, including a cozy library and a grand lobby decorated with stone and wood finishes and splashes of rich red and orange hues.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Macron said France is expending diplomatic capital to ensure a return to calm and to allow for the Lebanese armed forces to assert themselves as Israel pounds Hezbollah positions.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kravitz masters the concept of blending genres, mixing crystal light fixtures and an exceptionally rare $45,000 leather panel bed with artisanal pieces and textures in his bedding and rugs.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2026
-
From basic fraud claims and partnership disputes to the more esoteric involving combustion turbines, citrus canker or automobile line recalls or land use development issues, Waldman masters the material and, time and again, has delivered big-time results for his clients.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Lancers block was all over the senior outside hitter, but Smolarski still managed to pour in a match-high 24 kills with some big swings, tips and swipes.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
So games that normally rely on swipes or button presses can instead be controlled by stepping left or right, jumping or shifting body weight on the pad.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The foyer has a step-up entry from the front door, which feels elegant, and the living room is spacious with lovely touches in every direction — notice the built-ins with the arches that bookend the fireplace.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The dining room, finished with rich wood wainscoting, is illuminated by a modern chandelier that hints at the apartment’s contemporary touches.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Owl hoots are most effective at striking up turkeys when owls are naturally active, which is around dawn and dusk.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Blackhawks dressing room was a rowdy scene after the game, their hoots and hollers reverberating throughout the bowels of the United Center.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The North Shore has been under flash flood warnings since early Friday as heavy rain lashes the island.—
Ritu Prasad,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of having a rational conversation with Nick, Gloria lashes out and the two split.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Licks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licks. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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