LICKING Synonyms: 222 Similar and Opposite Words

licking 1 of 2

noun

ˈli-kiŋ

Definition of licking

as in beating

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

licking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lick

as in pounding

to strike repeatedly your father will lick you good if he hears you using swear words

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in defeating

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 licking

Noun

Predators respond with head shaking, gaping, drooling, and frantic licking. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026 Becker advises watching for excessive licking, especially of the paws, drooling, skin irritation, or unusual lethargy. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026

Verb

There’s truly nothing like licking that paper lid, then shoveling that tiny tongue depressor into a child-sized serving of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026 Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, admitted to licking the straw and returning it to the vending machine while recording the act for his online followers. — CNN Money, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for licking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for licking

Noun

The 22-0 beating, was the largest loss in the history of the Yankees’ organization.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Despite meeting or beating estimates, shares dropped as investors remained unimpressed.

— Arjun Kharpal,Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of beating

Verb

DeSoto won the Class 6A Division II state championship last season, defeating Southlake Carroll in the state semifinals.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026
Boise State started the season 1-1, losing 42-21 to Central Michigan before defeating Portland State 33-22 in a pair of nonconference games.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeating

Noun

But that defeat to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX was the worst pro season for McDuffie until last year.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
In 2025 things got more serious for Jair Bolsonaro when he was convicted and sentenced to about 27 years in prison for his role in planning a coup to remain in power after his election defeat.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

The trio were found hiding in a ditch about 200 yards from where they were pulled over, according to the news release.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
After six months of war, the deadlock has left the Islamic Republic bitterly divided, while its ultimate arbiter, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, remains in hiding.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of hiding

Verb

The discovery opens up new possibilities for heat management in next-generation quantum devices, overcoming bottlenecks faced earlier.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
Wachter said some young buyers are overcoming high housing costs by looking at older homes and fixer-uppers, putting their own time and labor into improvements or even renting out part of the property to help cover costs.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of overcoming

Noun

Mayer’s three professional defeats have now all come in England, following split-decision losses to Alycia Baumgardner in London in 2022 and Natasha Jonas in Liverpool in 2024.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
After missing the playoffs in 2025, Martin started off on a great note, handing a solid Mansfield program a 38-35 loss.

— Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of loss

Verb

Whisk with ¾ cup whole milk and use in any sweet recipe that doesn’t require whipping.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
At the landing zone, with bullets whipping and cracking around them, Capers—barely clinging to consciousness—refused to board the helicopter until every last man, and his dog’s body, was aboard.

— Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of whipping

Browse Nearby Words

lickety-split

licking

lickings

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“Licking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licking. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of licking

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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