spanking 1 of 3

adjective

ˈspaŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce spanking (audio)
Definition of spankingnext
as in animated
having much high-spirited energy and movement a spanking and speedy little horse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spanking

2 of 3

adverb

as in very
to a great degree the bathroom tiles were spanking white when she finished cleaning them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spanking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of spank
as in smacking

Related Words

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 spanking
Adjective
Owner Ted Leonsis will not move to a spanking new facility in Northern Virginia. — Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024 We’d been regularly hit by our father with a spanking spoon for talking back and fighting. — Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2024
Adverb
There was Vice President Biden's inaugural bromance selfie with President Obama on his brand spanking new Instagram account. — Christina Capatides, CBS News, 11 May 2018 Is this just about opportunistic politicians dipping into state coffers so they can be photographed cutting the ribbon at a spanking new factory? — New York Times, 8 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for spanking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spanking
  1. animated
  2. very
  3. smacking
  4. lively
  5. extremely
  6. knocking
  7. energetic
  8. damn
Adjective
  • Bautista has several other movies coming up, Alpha Gang, which premieres at the Toronto Film Festival; the animated Ally; and Highlander.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Although animated sequels have majorly rebounded at the box office, original fare remains challenged.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 July 2026
Definition of animated
Adverb
  • Anna’s sheer lace dress with a huge keyhole in the front and an open back is fine but also like a million other dresses; the same goes for Jude’s nicely constructed, but very familiar, black velvet dress with a corset.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Quarterback Tommy DeVito looked to him on a go route on the very next play, but Williams didn’t cut back inside for the ball, which appeared to frustrate Vrabel on the sideline.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of very
Verb
  • Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Adjective
  • The sightlines are good and the atmosphere lively, confirming the potential of Plymouth, the biggest city in the country never to have hosted a top-flight football club.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Shipley-Welter remembers when the town was more lively, with open storefronts and a nearby grocery store.
    — Julianna Mejia August 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of lively
Adverb
  • Members of the search-and-rescue team who helped save the friends say the area is extremely treacherous and potentially dangerous even in daylight and perfect conditions.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Washington Capitals’ system is headlined by the highly creative Cole Hutson and the extremely competitive Ryan Leonard.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of extremely
Verb
  • Every follow, every comment, every DM is someone knocking on the door.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Elarms-Orr didn’t think Kincaid was down and laid a sizable hit on the tight end, knocking him to the ground again.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of knocking
Adjective
  • Manzambi is seen as dynamic, energetic, a strong ball-carrier and importantly, versatile.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Thanksgiving always has produced an interesting dynamic with five tall, energetic kids circling for a turkey leg.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of energetic
Adverb
  • The reason the rent is too damn high is because Wall Street is counting on it.
    — Anisha Steephen, Time, 21 July 2026
  • Hodad’s is a third-generation small business, a San Diego treasure that makes a damn good burger.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of damn

Browse Nearby Words

spanked
spanking
spanks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spanking. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on spanking

Nglish: Translation of spanking for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of balmy

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All