1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the ball a solid lick with the bat
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in splash
a very small amount
the soup needs just a lick more of salt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in damn
the smallest amount or part imaginable
you haven't done a lick of work all day
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to hide
to strike repeatedly
your father will lick you good if he hears you using swear words
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to master
to achieve a victory over
he's determined to do everything he can to lick the cancer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lick
Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025
Couldn’t find the country on a map, couldn’t speak a lick of Japanese.
—Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025
Alan Burdick, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Some smelled it, licked it, or took tiny nibbles around the edges.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lick
Noun
Stuff like the marching band doesn’t make a lick of sense.
—Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025
Couldn’t find the country on a map, couldn’t speak a lick of Japanese.
—Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
When the researchers, who were funded by the N.I.H., used a wet paintbrush to stroke the rat pups — simulating the way a mother rat licks her offspring — these growth markers returned to normal.
—Alan Burdick, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Some smelled it, licked it, or took tiny nibbles around the edges.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lick
Noun
-
Khan feared that delaying his departure beyond the deadline might have resulted in his wife and children being hauled off to a police station along with him, which would have been a blow to his family’s dignity.—
Elena Becatoros,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
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Losing Senga for an extended period would be a major blow for the Mets, but there's still reason to believe the team will explore trades for its pitchers even with him sidelined.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with a splash of jalapeño simple syrup.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 June 2025
-
Blend frozen watermelon with a splash of lime juice to make watermelon slushies.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
And as far as luxurious treats go, well, the afternoon high tea there is not to be missed, and the theme changing monthly offers the strongest argument yet to treat oneself ad infinitum without giving a tinker’s damn about the current economy.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2025
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Since the death of Tom Petty meant an end to his primary job in 2017, Tench has still been visible in the background as a member of the house band in practically any tribute show that’s worth a damn.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The idea is simple: guests hide small rubber ducks around the ship for others to find.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
Tree rings hide a record of supernova explosions First off, Brakenridge turned to data from a range of powerful space telescopes, which have long been collecting data about the characteristics of supernovas.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The tournament is serving as a trial run for FIFA to master the quality of its playing surfaces ahead of the men’s World Cup next year.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
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Since making his season debut, Betts has been working to master the shortstop position and suffered a fractured toe.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Some trepidation, some laughs, a slap, some vulnerability, a funeral, a revealing email, a lawsuit, an enormously successful comedy special, a roast, and so much more — as the three detail in the video recap, above.—
Gerrad Hall,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Not finishing the story is a real slap in the face to all the loyal fans who did stick around.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Sincerely, People with functioning eyes and a shred of honesty.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
-
Please be advised that the dress code is either pastel-Easter-egg chic or ripped black shreds and absolutely nothing in between.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
The most memorable offerings didn’t care a whit about product-testing strategies.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
-
Vie comes on the heels of Doja’s 2023 album Scarlet, whit hit No. 4 on the Billboard 200.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lick. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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