flicker 1 of 2

verb

ˈfli-kər How to pronounce flicker (audio)
Definition of flickernext
as in to flutter
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements a dragonfly flickering above the salt marsh

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flicker

2 of 2

noun

1
as in movie
a story told by means of a series of continuously projected pictures and a sound track as a child, the future director would spend hours sitting in the theater, totally entranced by the flickers

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2
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity usually there's a flicker in car sales when the new models come out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hint
an almost imperceptible sign of something there was a flicker of recognition in her eye when I mentioned his name, but she denied knowing him

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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 flicker
Verb
Their disparate sonic elements form a dissonant but cohesive whole, wisps of trumpet and electronic woodwinds flashing by as quickly as flickering subway car lights. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026 Preclinical work and a feasibility study found that flickering light and sound at 40 Hz for an hour a day had potential to slow cognitive decline and volume loss in parts of the brain critical for memory. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
Noun
Since then, there were brief flickers from the likes of Paul Robinson or Rob Green, but there was a natural ceiling as to whom Leeds fielded as their goalkeeper when outside the top division of English football. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Plus, built-in AcerVisionCare tech shields your eyes from blue light and screen flicker during marathon homework sessions. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flicker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flicker
  1. flutter
  2. movie
  3. flurry
  4. hint
  5. flit
  6. film
  7. burst
  8. glimmer
Verb
  • For Arbaeen, the lights inside the shrine and the flags fluttering from its golden dome are switched to red – the color of vengeance.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Some people feel a racing heartbeat or fluttering in their chest.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of flutter
Noun
  • Apart from the Phantasm films, Bannister played a rest home administrator in Coscarelli’s 2002 horror comedy Bubba Ho-Tep, starring Evil Dead movie franchise icon Bruce Campbell.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • None of these movies are worth buying and installing a DVD player for!
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of movie
Noun
  • But Davis’s book is part of a flurry of statements and interviews that, investigators say, taken together amount to an admission he was involved in the murder.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Those conferences signed on and saved it from near death late last month after a flurry of negotiations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • The models struck the same pose at the InStyle Awards in November 2021, reminding us that everything’s better with a hint of glimmer.
    — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
  • But that news won’t capture eyeballs, so the media tend to focus on any hint of bad news.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of hint
Verb
  • Both Kroupi and Alvarez flit between centre-forward and second-striker roles during matches.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • An airy, not-too-sweet vanilla like Taunt is the perfect encapsulation of a Gemini who’s always flitting from one topic of interest to the next.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026
Definition of flit
Noun
  • Under Binface’s black cape, trash can and ample body armor that looks straight out of a low-budget sci-fi film, is a middle-aged comedian named Jon Harvey trying to keep his cool during a sweaty summer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • As time passes and questions remain unanswered, the film shows how grief connects, relationships change, and new perspectives emerge.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of film
Noun
  • Protecting pilot vision A nuclear weapon produces an intense burst of thermal and visible light within fractions of a second after detonation.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
  • With juicy bursts of fresh fruit, the result is deliciously smooth, custardy, and bright.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • If there is a glimmer of hope in the smoke, it can be found in the relatively low mortality rates for these recent urban fires, and their largely successful evacuations, which demonstrate real social cohesion and admirable courage and civic spirit.
    — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
  • As his mind retreats to the hues of old movies, Charlotte breaks the fog with a glimmer of humanity.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of glimmer

Browse Nearby Words

flicked (off)
flicker
flickered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flicker. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flicker

Nglish: Translation of flicker for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flicker

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