dabbing

verb

present participle of dab
1
as in smearing

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in tapping

Related Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbing
  1. smearing
  2. tapping
  3. daubing
  4. flicking
  5. slathering
  6. patting
  7. anointing
  8. clapping
Verb
  • People are smearing the electric-blue tincture on their face or drawing the concoction up in syringes.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
  • At the entrance of Kollparay, Quispe pauses, taking my hands and smearing them with soil—the soil of her village.
    — Paola Miglio, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
Definition of smearing
Verb
  • Many higher-income countries, though challenged by the disruption, have cushioned the blow by tapping strategic reserves or using their financial and political clout to secure emergency supplies.
    — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The two London clubs’ transfer dealings got off to a controversial start with Ashley Cole’s infamous move from Arsenal, a deal clouded by accusations of tapping up and considerable hostility.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of tapping
Verb
  • But there is a distinction, Kutwala said, between flying flags from one’s own property and daubing paint across the town.
    — Olivia Kemp, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of daubing
Verb
  • The fire had engulfed the garage roof, with flames flicking nearby trees and threatening to spread beyond the garage.
    — Rob Moore, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Playing with the Chromatic is as simple as inserting a cartridge and flicking the power switch.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of flicking
Verb
  • Each type has its own purpose, and using the wrong method, or slathering on too much (or too little), can seriously undermine results.
    — Anya Meyerowitz, Glamour, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That doesn’t mean slathering on an egregious amount of lotions and serums, though — the 59-year-old actress’s mature skincare regimen is surprisingly simple.
    — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Definition of slathering
Verb
  • Another picture in the post shows Justin patting Phin on the head as the pair walk together on a golf course, sporting matching golf bags.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Drake also used the opening portion of the stream to reflect on his recent releases, patting himself on the back a little for dropping three projects at once.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of patting
Verb
  • Think Lady Gaga anointing herself an A-list leading lady by way of her grand appearance for the premiere of A Star Is Born.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • By anointing Watson as their franchise savior, the Haslams disregarded all those women.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of anointing
Verb
  • The film’s sombre tone and subject matter likely put a damper on the Lido crowd’s reaction, but the movie was well received, with the audience rising for a standing ovation, clapping warmly for four minutes.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Firefighters who weren’t yet being deployed lined the route to the tarmac, hooting and clapping and giving high fives.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of clapping
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.

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dabbed
dabbing
dabble
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Cite this Entry

“Dabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbing. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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