spanked; spanking; spanks
1
: to strike especially on the buttocks with the open hand
2
informal
: to defeat decisively
… came out inspired and spanked their rivals by 23 points.—
Associated Press
Associated Press
plural spanks
: an act of spanking : a sharp slap or blow to the buttocks usually with the palm of the hand
spanked; spanking; spanks
: to move quickly, dashingly, or spiritedly
spanking along in his new car
Examples of spank in a Sentence
Verb (1)
They believed that parents should not spank their children.
Noun
gave him a spank on the bottom
Recent Examples on the Web
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Before center Amari Williams could even set a screen, Daniels leaned into Brown, who was still 10 feet behind the 3-point arc, and spanked the basketball away.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
This parenting tip involves spanking a child or using another form of corporal punishment to discipline them for misbehaving, talking back, or being uncooperative.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
Santa Catarina state police charged a 15-year-old who allegedly spanked the dog to death but authorities have recommended the teenager be tried under the juvenile corrections system.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spank
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Verb
The duo tried to take on his former master, Darth Sidious (now Emperor Palpatine), only to get thoroughly spanked by Sheev, who killed Savage.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Before center Amari Williams could even set a screen, Daniels leaned into Brown, who was still 10 feet behind the 3-point arc, and spanked the basketball away.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
This parenting tip involves spanking a child or using another form of corporal punishment to discipline them for misbehaving, talking back, or being uncooperative.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
Santa Catarina state police charged a 15-year-old who allegedly spanked the dog to death but authorities have recommended the teenager be tried under the juvenile corrections system.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spank
Cite this Entry
“Spank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spank. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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