Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

sucking

American  
[suhk-ing] / ˈsʌk ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. not weaned.

  2. very young.

sucking British  
/ ˈsʌkɪŋ /

adjective

  1. not yet weaned

    sucking pig

  2. not yet fledged

    sucking dove
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sucking

before 1000; Middle English souking ( e ), Old English sūcende; see suck, -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The city’s narrow lots sets the Chicago iteration apart: “almost like it’s sucking in its stomach,” the authors write.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

“Software is sucking wind,” Jefferies software analyst Brent Thill told Barron’s.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

The airflow then starts working again, sucking the car back down until the same phenomenon is repeated.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

Defiant, emotional and life-affirming, the film presents us with endearing patriots who love their country but hate its leaders, sucking us into a riveting tale with a powerful undertow.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

“I cut myself on your corsage,” Mario said, sucking on the side of his index finger.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.