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
  • Yet what follows is an extended list of ethical sins, with a focus on the sins of abusive speech, such as slandering, slurring, slighting and smearing the reputations of others.
    — Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • People have gone from smearing the compound on their faces to using injections, in hopes of achieving firmer, wrinkle-free skin and other anti-aging benefits.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of smearing
Verb
  • De La Faverie brought in a new team under the creative direction of Nicola Formichetti and the brand has quickly moved to reestablish relevance, tapping everyone from Chappell Roan to Kris Jenner as spokespeople.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Kapoor will lead the creative direction, with Balaji retaining the underlying IP while tapping YouTube’s global distribution and advertising business — a savvy expansion that doesn’t involve surrendering ownership of her stories.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 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
  • 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
  • He’s getting hit sometimes, and just flicking this ball out there.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of flicking
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of slathering
Verb
  • That’s why his five fellow umpires made a point of patting him on the back or shoulder before jogging to their positions for the first pitch.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 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
  • At one point, the audience tentatively started clapping then quickly quieted back down.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
  • As the judges give him positive feedback, our Danni is very excited, clapping for him and bouncing up and down like a bobblehead going down a cobblestoned street.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Sep. 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 11 Oct. 2026.

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