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Sucking Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sucking

[ˈsʌkɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

action

The act of drawing something, especially a liquid or food, into the mouth and swallowing it.

Synonyms

drawing, nursing, sipping.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sucking

Used when describing someone pulling liquid or air into their mouth using strong pressure, often involving more force. Can also be used in a negative context to describe a situation or task. Informally, it can describe something unpleasant.

  • The baby was sucking on a pacifier.
  • He was sucking on a straw to finish his drink.
  • The vacuum cleaner was sucking up all the dust.
  • That performance really sucked.
drawing

Appropriate when talking about pulling a liquid or substance in a controlled manner, often used in contexts involving medical or technical usage.

  • The nurse is drawing blood from the patient.
  • They were drawing water from the well.
  • He was drawing air into his lungs after holding his breath for so long.
sipping

Indicates drinking a liquid slowly and in small amounts, often associated with beverages enjoyed or savored.

  • She was sipping her coffee while reading a book.
  • They sat on the porch, sipping lemonade.
  • He sipped his wine, enjoying the taste.
nursing

Commonly used in the context of feeding a baby or taking care of someone, especially related to health care. It has a nurturing connotation.

  • The mother was nursing her baby.
  • He has been nursing his injured leg for weeks.
  • She is nursing a cup of tea, waiting for her friend.

Examples of usage

  • He was sucking on a lollipop.
  • The baby was sucking her thumb.
  • She was sucking the juice through a straw.
Context #2 | Noun

negative

The act of being very bad at something; incompetence.

Synonyms

failure, incompetence, poor performance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sucking

This word is usually used in informal or slang contexts to strongly criticize someone or something. It's often perceived as negative and can be offensive.

  • His performance in the game was really sucking.
  • This new product sucks compared to the old one.
incompetence

This word is best used in formal or professional settings to describe a lack of ability or skill in doing a job correctly. It has a negative undertone and calls into question someone's qualifications.

  • The company's bankruptcy was due to the incompetence of its management.
  • His incompetence in handling the machinery led to the accident.
failure

This word is appropriate in formal and informal contexts when discussing an unsuccessful attempt at something. It has a negative connotation and implies that the objective was not met.

  • Despite all his hard work, the project ended in failure.
  • She felt like a failure after not getting the job.
poor performance

This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts when a more neutral term is needed to describe someone not meeting expectations. It doesn't carry as strong a negative connotation as 'failure' or 'incompetence'.

  • The team's poor performance this season is disappointing.
  • Her trial showed poor performance compared to the other candidates.

Examples of usage

  • His sucking at basketball made him the worst player on the team.
  • She knew she was sucking at her job and needed to improve.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Biology

  • Many animals, including birds and mammals, use suction as a means to intake food or water.
  • Infants instinctively suck as a natural reflex, allowing them to feed from their mothers.
  • Certain species of fish and invertebrates, like octopuses, have specialized structures for sucking in prey.

Psychology

  • Sucking can provide comfort, which is why pacifiers are used for calming babies.
  • The act may also have a soothing effect for adults, as seen in habits like thumb-sucking or using straws.
  • Researchers suggest that sucking behaviors can be associated with stress relief or anxiety reduction.

Pop Culture

  • The phrase 'sucking up' refers to flattering someone, particularly in a work or social environment.
  • In many cartoons, characters are depicted with exaggerated sucking sounds to add humor to eating or drinking scenes.
  • In music, the phrase 'suck' is often used casually to describe a less-than-great performance or experience.

Nutrition

  • Sucking on hard candies or cough drops can stimulate saliva production, which aids digestion.
  • Certain health drinks emphasize 'sucking' for maintaining hydration during workouts, emphasizing the importance of fluids.
  • Sucking foods, like smoothies, can help incorporate more fruits and vegetables into diets in enjoyable ways.

Origin of 'sucking'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'sucan', which meant to draw in or absorb.
  • Related words in other languages include the Latin 'sugere' and the Greek 'suggō', both meaning to suck.
  • The term has been used in various contexts, from feeding infants to describing actions in nature.

The word 'sucking' originated from the Old English word 'sucan', which meant 'to draw into the mouth by contracting the muscles of the lips and mouth'. It has been used in the English language for centuries to describe the action of drawing in or pulling on something. Over time, 'sucking' has evolved to have both literal and metaphorical meanings, reflecting the diverse ways in which it can be used in everyday language.

See also: suck, sucker, suckle, suckling.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,401, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.