1
as in movies
a story told by means of a series of continuously projected pictures and a sound track
as a child, the future director would spend hours sitting in the theater, totally entranced by the flickers
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2
as in flurries
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
usually there's a flicker in car sales when the new models come out
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hints
an almost imperceptible sign of something
there was a flicker of recognition in her eye when I mentioned his name, but she denied knowing him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in flits
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flickers
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
My favorite albums reckoned deliberately with our existential moment, offering flickers of hope and grace under pressure.
—Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Northern flickers and other woodpeckers are just some of the birds that are attracted to viburnums.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2025
But things get weird when Kamala sees flickers of zombie faces in the crowd.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Foster’s tenure had flickers of momentum.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Light broke through the mountains in flickers, then vanished as the storm thickened.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
An engine of sorts was gathering here, drawing calories closer to human settlements, energy that was dissipated in the flickers of flame and the fires of metabolism.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
Private sector confidence flickers but has not fully ignited.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
When Verity isn’t with someone too young for him, the two are also occasional lovers, each aware of how their attachment flickers in and out based on neediness, resentment, and actual affection.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Yet the human heart, a product of that same universe, flickers with an unreasonable light.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The deep green glass vessel, etched with vertical lines reminiscent of towering tree trunks, shifts from khaki to warm browns and golden yellows as the flame flickers, casting a hypnotic glow that’s as enchanting as its aroma.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Over dinner, a broadcast flickers on the cabin’s dusty TV.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
The glowing phenomenon appears as rays, spirals and flickers that most commonly manifest in hues of red and green.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Just this one pipe yielded the carcasses of hundreds of birds and animals, including kestrels, flickers, bluebirds, and fence lizards that had become trapped over a time period of 50 years.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
The penalty kill has remained strong, and while the power play has shown flickers of improvement, Colorado has scored just one more goal than its allowed (3-2) while playing with the extra man in this stretch.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
My favorite albums reckoned deliberately with our existential moment, offering flickers of hope and grace under pressure.
—Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Northern flickers and other woodpeckers are just some of the birds that are attracted to viburnums.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2025
But things get weird when Kamala sees flickers of zombie faces in the crowd.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Foster’s tenure had flickers of momentum.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Light broke through the mountains in flickers, then vanished as the storm thickened.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
An engine of sorts was gathering here, drawing calories closer to human settlements, energy that was dissipated in the flickers of flame and the fires of metabolism.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
Those flickers or flashes were used to show intrusive thoughts or moments of wonder.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
Private sector confidence flickers but has not fully ignited.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
When Verity isn’t with someone too young for him, the two are also occasional lovers, each aware of how their attachment flickers in and out based on neediness, resentment, and actual affection.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Yet the human heart, a product of that same universe, flickers with an unreasonable light.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The deep green glass vessel, etched with vertical lines reminiscent of towering tree trunks, shifts from khaki to warm browns and golden yellows as the flame flickers, casting a hypnotic glow that’s as enchanting as its aroma.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Over dinner, a broadcast flickers on the cabin’s dusty TV.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
The glowing phenomenon appears as rays, spirals and flickers that most commonly manifest in hues of red and green.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Just this one pipe yielded the carcasses of hundreds of birds and animals, including kestrels, flickers, bluebirds, and fence lizards that had become trapped over a time period of 50 years.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flickers
Noun
-
The first season is littered with strange narrative detours, thought-provoking philosophical takes, and a cinematic style that puts 99% of movies to shame.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The writer-director and sometimes actor, who has co-written and directed five movies starring Italian comedy sensation Checco Zalone, just became part of a record-breaking feat.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Snow flurries were reported in Tampa and Sarasota, and the thermometer dropped to 30 degrees at Miami International Airport on Christmas Day 1989.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
For the most part, the flurries will be light and not expected to cause problems, although there is a low chance for light snow accumulations — a tenth or two of an inch — along the Iowa and Missouri border, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
A day of poring over records, however, gave up nothing more than hints and shadows.—
Eugene Robinson,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Butterfly décor and hints of Mariah Carey lavender filled the Los Angeles Convention Center as the Queen of Christmas and R&B legend was celebrated on her big night.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As the movie flits between these different storylines, time is reframed less as something to resist (or defy) than as something to embrace.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Identity takes the lead as the Moon flits into your sign, so your tone, pace, and choices are most likely to set the mood for everyone today.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Since launching with Fast & Furious in 2001, the films have combined to gross more than $7 billion worldwide.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Discoveryis the market’s platform showcasing feature films in development, promoting Nordic talents and fostering international co-production, financing and sales connections.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The team layered multiple types of hydrogels, including water-rich, conductive materials, in a precise pattern that mimics the ionic processes electric eels use to produce bursts of electricity.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
At Café Pasqual’s, the James Beard Award-winning eatery in the heart of downtown, every dish bursts with the vibrant flavors of organic, farm-to-table ingredients.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In non-theme park play, the game revolves around Illumineers, glimmers, inklands, a lorebook and other buzzwords and actions that are important to players.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
-
There’s still a long way to go to restore his status as a promising prospect, but there have been glimmers of hope the last couple weeks.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel (center) flutters a Venezuelan and Cuban national flags in support of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Havana.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flickers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flickers. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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