as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
the horse's tail flicked in restless irritation
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Recent Examples of flicking
While a wagging dog’s tail might indicate excitement or friendliness, a flicking cat’s tail can signal irritation.
—
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Only the paintings bore witness to her intense, solitary writing sessions, conducted in the studio by night, Stein flicking the pages of her notebooks with hardly a pause, until dawn birdsong disturbed her concentration.
—Francesca Wade, Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025
For the Taliban, the episode possibly carries the lesson that attempting to turn back time on a population that’s grown up with the internet is much harder than just flicking a switch.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Only the paintings bore witness to her intense, solitary writing sessions, conducted in the studio by night, Stein flicking the pages of her notebooks with hardly a pause, until dawn birdsong disturbed her concentration.
—Francesca Wade, Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025
For the Taliban, the episode possibly carries the lesson that attempting to turn back time on a population that’s grown up with the internet is much harder than just flicking a switch.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flicking
Verb
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Following a Keller punt, Trinity used six rushing plays to cover 79 yards with Jayden Hollins darting up the middle from 34 yards out to give the Trojans their first lead at 13-9 early in the second period.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Oct. 2025
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Mischief in the mind of Cole Martin, the defensive back, moonlighted as a magician and snatched the direct snap before darting through a crease and churning ahead for a trick of a first down.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The spaces are smaller, with lower benches, and the older players, flitting between dressing rooms for U14s and U12s, have had to take their belongings home each day rather than leave them in lockers due to the carousel of teams moving in and out.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The episode ends with a haunting overhead shot of the yard dotted with frozen clusters of kids in gray jumpsuits and the frantic staff outfitted in bright orange, flitting among them.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Bolas spider creates a silk lasso to catch fluttering moths.—
Kate Siber,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
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On my most recent visit—December 2024—the foliage was just past its peak, with some bare trees and lots of fluttering yellow leaves.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When Bruce began touring and selling out arenas, Adele became famous for dancing with her son on stage—including at 90 years old, during a show in 2016.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Social media detectives speculated the NBA player and artist were dating back in July when they were spotted dancing together at a nightclub in Cabo for GloRilla’s 26th birthday.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flicking. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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