as in to nurse
to give milk to from the breast
the image of a mother suckling her babe is a standard artistic symbol of maternal love and nurturing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suckle
Joan jumped on her leg in an attempt to get some and started to suckle the cheese.
—
Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
After the birth, the infant was showing strong signs of suckling, and zoo staff thought that Kianga was providing excellent care, the release states.
—Grant Lancaster, arkansasonline.com, 7 Sep. 2024
But the government men botched their job: rather than dying, the twins were soon discovered by a she-wolf, who suckled them back to health.
—Michael Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2016
The insects will have enough time to get used to their new home and then hopefully mate and burrow down to suckle at the roots of hazel trees.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 31 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for suckle
Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
After the birth, the infant was showing strong signs of suckling, and zoo staff thought that Kianga was providing excellent care, the release states.
—Grant Lancaster, arkansasonline.com, 7 Sep. 2024
But the government men botched their job: rather than dying, the twins were soon discovered by a she-wolf, who suckled them back to health.
—Michael Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2016
The insects will have enough time to get used to their new home and then hopefully mate and burrow down to suckle at the roots of hazel trees.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 31 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for suckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suckle
Verb
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Verstappen was nursing his tires — but remained on the racing line — as Russell was approaching fast behind.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
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In addition to eating solid food, the pups were likely still nursing milk from their mother, according to the researchers.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
14 June 2025
Verb
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The shrinking rations have led to rising cases of malnutrition among children under 5 and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
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My favorite section, hidden to the right — handscrolls can only be viewed one section at a time — illustrates a breastfeeding woman in the audience.—
Lori Waxman,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suckle. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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