CLAWING Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

clawing

verb

present participle of claw

as in burrowing

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Dissimilar Words

as in lacerating

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clawing

Verb

Double-bass glissandos hint at hands grubbing in the earth, while abrupt moments of concerted action—notably, an accordion wheezing out an F-sharp-minor chord—suggest flickering signals and transmissions.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Released in 1958, Attack told of a wealthy heiress, fresh from a stint at a mental institution, who is turned into a giantess and then deals with her philandering husband and his no-good, money-grubbing floozy.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026

Definition of grubbing

Verb

Two generations of viewers have now grown up consuming The Daily Show’s lacerating take on politics.

— Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
In the last year, Huston has broken his eye socket — twice — and his jaw, as well as lacerating his kidney, per posts on his social media.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026

Definition of lacerating

Verb

While retracing his route, revisiting photos, and dredging her memories for clues to his distress, Lotte encounters dangers and pushes her limits.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026
Most of the gold bullion aboard the Fort Stikine was lost, but dredging operations in the harbor have continued to unearth some of these bricks, including as recently as 2011.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of dredging

Verb

Three people were arrested earlier this week after Woodland police found heavy-gauge copper wire and cutting tools in their vehicle near a community center where wiring had been stolen from about 10 light poles, authorities said.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
My focus is cutting traffic gridlock through AI light synchronization, equipping police with advanced tech, protecting residential zoning against over-development, and streamlining municipal permitting with strict fiscal accountability.

— Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of cutting

Verb

Beside me in the rickety wooden seating, filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun is also chafing at the lack of chaos, their gentle blue eyes fixed ahead.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
To further create a secure feel, the shoe is also made with a plush heel collar and tongue that lock you in without chafing against your feet.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026

Definition of chafing

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.

Browse Nearby Words

clawed

clawing

clawlike

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Style

“Clawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clawing. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of clawing

verb

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