How to Use licking in a Sentence

licking

noun
Definition of lickingnext
Synonyms for lickingnext
  • His father threatened to give him a licking if he didn't stop misbehaving.
  • Jones was like a Timex watch… takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
    — Dallas News, 27 Sep. 2022
  • Like the Timex watch of old, Jeeps are designed to take a licking and keep on ticking.
    — Charles Fleming, latimes.com, 14 June 2019
  • Turns out, hers is the experts’ way (minus the licking).
    — Chantal Martineau, Bon Appétit, 7 Nov. 2019
  • So much of that, Kieran improvised as well — the licking of the cheese.
    — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 2 Aug. 2023
  • In the video, tweeted by @ColtonCarlyle, his cat gives Carlyle’s nose a good licking.
    — Melissa Locker, Time, 11 Nov. 2019
  • The trio from Beaumont picked up Lily and Zeus in a frenzy of licking and hugging.
    — Liz Hardaway, ExpressNews.com, 28 Aug. 2020
  • There were tons of kissing, but mainly a lot of licking.
    — Marie Claire, 31 Dec. 2019
  • Both books tell the story of a child prodigy who learned to take a licking as part of the family act.
    — Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2022
  • And the licking is a way of showing affection and bonding among bovine.
    — Eva Botkin-Kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Aug. 2020
  • So a dog's sloppy licking could be just a way of figuring you out.
    — National Geographic, 17 Dec. 2016
  • This bag took a licking and kept on ticking without being any worse for wear.
    — Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2023
  • Looking up from the outrage, even for a six-hour stretch of rock 'n' roll greatness, does nothing to keep the licking flames of it at bay.
    — Hilary Hughes, Esquire, 9 Oct. 2016
  • Like the watches in the old Timex commercials, Jimmy G takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
    — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 21 Dec. 2019
  • Excessive licking could be a sign your dog is anxious or has OCD.
    — Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY, 6 July 2022
  • This great tech gift can take a licking and still track your fitness goals during rough-and-tumble workouts.
    — Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 22 Nov. 2022
  • Allergies can cause excessive licking, which can lead to a build-up of bacteria on the skin.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022
  • Probably the same approach could be used to create a comic licking room.
    — Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2014
  • If the licking is bothersome, don't reprimand the dog, but instead distract them from their mission with a treat.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 May 2021
  • Bloomberg, who was the lightning rod of the last debate, was spared another licking by the focus on Sanders — but still absorbed bracing blows from Warren this time around.
    — Jess Bidgood, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Feb. 2020
  • But left-leaning wound licking is but one of multiple sources of stress pushing Hollywood through gym doors.
    — Peter Kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 June 2017
  • John Wick may appear to be indestructible, a ruthless assassin who takes a licking and keeps on killing.
    — Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2023
  • In most of the shots, Hina is goofing off alongside the other pups — yawning, sneering or licking — while the other dogs smile perfectly at the camera.
    — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 21 Sep. 2020
  • There are a few signs that may indicate your dog has an allergy, such as excessive licking, chewing, or scratching of the skin.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022
  • Put it all together and foot licking seems as reasonable as kissing.
    — Jenny Singer, Glamour, 21 July 2022
  • Stain resistant and easy-to-clean microsuede slipcovers mean that this sofa can take a licking and keep on ticking!
    — Laura Eckstein, Good Housekeeping, 14 May 2012
  • Common signs of allergies in dogs include itching, loss of fur, irritated eyes, the licking of paws, dry skin and red, inflamed skin.
    — Star Tribune, 25 June 2021
  • After taking a licking in 2022, Republicans once again failed to respond with soul-searching about losing the youth vote.
    — Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 15 Apr. 2023
  • Made from stainless steel with silicone rubber buttons, this mouse can truly take a licking.
    — Wired Staff, WIRED, 1 Apr. 1996
  • Hoying takes a licking — Center fielder Jared Hoying made a great catch before crashing into the wall in the fifth inning Saturday.
    — Stefan Stevenson, star-telegram.com, 27 May 2017

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'licking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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