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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of licks
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
From bouncy dancehall riddims and hip-hop production inflections to tender country and western guitar licks, Treasure Self Love distills Iké’s wide range of childhood music into a succinct 11-track study of achieving wholeness by unflinchingly examining the darkest parts of your past.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2025
TikTok @evelynmmartin The dog jumps onto the grassy area, shakes his head with his whole body moving in excitement, and jumps up to greet Martin, showering her with licks and nuzzles before spinning excitedly in a circle.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Hopefully that was worth it — because quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took his fair share of licks in the process.
—Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
For that closing number, bassist Andy Bishop leaped down into the pit, while keyboardist Sevans Henderson and guitarists Zach Rishel and Drew Nix rocked out at full throttle, all of them letting their licks do most of the showboating.
—Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 3 Aug. 2025
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
The pair is seen crawling through a wildflower field, dancing, and jumping, but also hollering at each other, brandishing knives, and at some point, Lawrence licks a window with zeal.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 5 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
Kershaw was on the winning end more often than not, but that didn’t mean the Giants didn’t also get in their licks.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
From bouncy dancehall riddims and hip-hop production inflections to tender country and western guitar licks, Treasure Self Love distills Iké’s wide range of childhood music into a succinct 11-track study of achieving wholeness by unflinchingly examining the darkest parts of your past.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2025
TikTok @evelynmmartin The dog jumps onto the grassy area, shakes his head with his whole body moving in excitement, and jumps up to greet Martin, showering her with licks and nuzzles before spinning excitedly in a circle.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Hopefully that was worth it — because quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took his fair share of licks in the process.
—Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
For that closing number, bassist Andy Bishop leaped down into the pit, while keyboardist Sevans Henderson and guitarists Zach Rishel and Drew Nix rocked out at full throttle, all of them letting their licks do most of the showboating.
—Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
The pair is seen crawling through a wildflower field, dancing, and jumping, but also hollering at each other, brandishing knives, and at some point, Lawrence licks a window with zeal.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 5 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
-
Hockey players aren’t known for being shy about fighting over different plays on the ice, but Wayne Gretzky and his current compatriots have learned not to come to blows.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Rancorous debate in the GOTW meeting room as the panel nearly came to blows, with Broncos-Eagles supporters threatening a walkout as Bucs-Seahawks advocates were kicking over chairs.—
Greg Cote
October 2,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The cooler is built to handle sun, sand, and splashes with a UV-resistant exterior and crushproof interior walls.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
-
From a bleak job hunt upon her arrival in 2016 to undergoing treatment for her second bout with breast cancer during the uncertainty and fear of COVID, Davis recalls her journey through raw vulnerability and splashes of humor.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This storied sandwich is served each year at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia; and many have long tried to replicate the recipe, which seemingly masters the perfect ratio of ingredients for classic egg salad.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Focus is difficult and hardly anyone masters the skill.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Belif’s Aqua Bomb Cooling Eye Gel, a Best of Beauty Award winner, delivers a burst of cooling hydration to refresh tired eyes, reduce puffiness, and brighten dark circles in just a few easy swipes.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
-
But even in a world of swipes and instant matches, Arison says that mentorship dynamic remains.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to a swath of antiques, special touches include wallpaper by Designers Guild and Gucci; fabrics by Kravet, and Colefax and Fowler; and custom furnishings by Rose Tarlow, Holland MacRae, and Madeline Stuart.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Croskey-Merritt produced 150 total yards and two rushing TDs on 16 touches.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
All the segments understand the assignment, aiming primarily to elicit hoots and hollers.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The town hall crowd received my comments with strong clapping and appreciative hoots and hollers.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
While Harris Reed had more exaggerated bottom lashes and more clustered to the outer wing, lashes at Dreaming Eli were more centered and top-heavy, leaving the bottom lashes natural.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Sep. 2025
-
His right hand lashes out periodically.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Licks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licks. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share