How to Use licking in a Sentence

licking

noun

• 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
• The cat has a small spot of irritated skin — brought on by excessive licking and scratching — that needs to heal.
  — Cathy Free, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2023
• 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

Last Updated: 9 Jun 2024