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
  • None of this excuses Chris’ malicious behavior, not just toward Carrie but toward her future stepsister, Brooklyn (Rowan Danielle), and the school as a whole, mostly via a fake Instagram account devoted to smearing students and faculty alike.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Disliking someone is an opinion — smearing their reputation is something else.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of smearing
Verb
  • Now Preckwinkle is tapping some of those reserves to close the budget gap.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • His strategy involves tapping institutional investors, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and wealthy individuals to help finance risks traditionally carried by insurance companies and reinsurers.
    — Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 29 Oct. 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
  • Instamall plans to keep adding brands, but it is already hooked into the inventory systems of its existing partners, so expanding the service to new cities could be as easy as flicking a switch.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Coming for a variety of longtime critics of the merger, opposition rose and suspicion about the settlement served to pour gasoline on an already flicking fire.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of flicking
Verb
  • For a more affordable alternative, Tula’s hydrating mask is perfect for slathering on and moisturizing mid-flight, too.
    — Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The goat is tender and deeply savory, the perfect vehicle for slathering charred avocado and queso for a truly melt-in-your-mouth bite.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of slathering
Verb
  • In 2022, the paparazzi leaked photos of the two holding hands, nestled into each other at a New York bar, and Holmes patting Robach on the rear.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In this case, there’s no swiping or rubbing at all—just let the pads sit and soak in for a few minutes before gently patting in the excess.
    — Jenny Jin, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of patting
Verb
  • To his surprise, Wall Street financiers approached him on the street to praise Gekko — anointing him as their hero.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of anointing
Verb
  • In addition, Adebayo was called for a technical foul for arguing with the officials and Doncic was called for a technical foul for clapping at an official in the second quarter.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • About 75 people packed the room at Morning Star Community Center, often clapping and cheering in support of the criticism.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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