flicking

verb

present participle of flick
as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements the horse's tail flicked in restless irritation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 flicking Coming for a variety of longtime critics of the merger, opposition rose and suspicion about the settlement served to pour gasoline on an already flicking fire. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 He’s getting hit sometimes, and just flicking this ball out there. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 The Half-Mast The first sign that a deer is troubled comes when that long tail goes to half-mast—straight out behind—and stays rigid for a few seconds before dropping and then flicking right back up. — Tom Carpenter, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026 On the touchdown to wide receiver Xavier Worthy, the quarterback read the defense well and knew the play-fake would work — casually flicking the ball to a wide-open Worthy and turning his back before Worthy had it in his grasp. — Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 The fire had engulfed the garage roof, with flames flicking nearby trees and threatening to spread beyond the garage. — Rob Moore, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 Playing with the Chromatic is as simple as inserting a cartridge and flicking the power switch. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026 My phone lights up with a new text, and my heart lights up, too, a fresh lime dropping into a cold bottle of beer, a bursting balloon, a cartoon lightbulb flicking on with sudden, radiant intensity. — Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026 Within a few minutes, Hutchinson has his mobile out, happily flicking through the screensavers. — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flicking
  1. darting
  2. flitting
  3. fluttering
  4. dancing
Verb
  • One kitten stared transfixed through the glass while the other, unfazed, was more interested in darting around playfully.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Thank you to the San Francisco Zoo for their expertise darting the lion and documenting the scene.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of darting
Verb
  • Multiple anglers reeled in yellowfin tuna, which were visible through the clear water flitting back and forth near the boat.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Upon further review of the camera footage, Sam Gough, a park supervisor for the Incline Village General Improvement District, said the light appeared to be just a bug flitting across the lens.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of flitting
Verb
  • To achieve that fluttering action, the material in these baits is very soft.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, her arms matched the uninterrupted movement of her hair, fluttering in front of the cameras.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of fluttering
Verb
  • The film features drunken sing-alongs and dancing with abandon in the family kitchen.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Eventually a fourth joins the group, dancing with a tiny, glowing stick figure seemingly attached to its belly.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dancing

Browse Nearby Words

flickery
flicking
flicking (off)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flicking. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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