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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Recent Examples of suckle
However, occasionally, puppies may continue attempting to suckle—sometimes even from other dogs.
—
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
The other two are named Romulus and Remus, after the mythical founders of Rome said to have been suckled by a she-wolf as infants.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
What are the neurons that make muscles ache and fatigue, or trigger migraines, or cause milk to flow in a mother’s breast when her baby suckles?
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
The older pair are named Romulus and Remus after the mythological founders of Rome, who are traditionally depicted as being suckled by a she-wolf.
—Jon Schlosberg, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suckle
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
The other two are named Romulus and Remus, after the mythical founders of Rome said to have been suckled by a she-wolf as infants.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
What are the neurons that make muscles ache and fatigue, or trigger migraines, or cause milk to flow in a mother’s breast when her baby suckles?
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
The older pair are named Romulus and Remus after the mythological founders of Rome, who are traditionally depicted as being suckled by a she-wolf.
—Jon Schlosberg, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suckle
Verb
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Holmgren tied a career high with six 3-pointers and Lu Dort added 16 points for the Thunder, who recovered after the Knicks took the lead with a 40-point third quarter, going back ahead early in the fourth and nursing a small advantage the rest of the way.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
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James is nursing a shoulder ailment.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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People who are pregnant or breastfeeding may not be able to use certain supplements due to potential risks to their baby.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
24 Feb. 2026
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Though pregnant and breastfeeding women are exempt from fasting in Islam (along with the sick, disabled, mentally ill, and those who choose not to while traveling), Hasan is attempting to fast during Ramadan this year.—
Juwayriah Wright,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suckle. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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