necking

verb

Definition of neckingnext
present participle of neck
as in cuddling

Related Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for necking
  1. cuddling
  2. spooning
  3. nuzzling
  4. petting
  5. fondling
  6. caressing
  7. snuggling
  8. stroking
Verb
  • The first photo depicted Theron, Jackson, and August cuddling up on a yacht, while the three of them posed for selfies in the next two slides.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 15 July 2026
  • Neill was a performer whose bone-deep decency shone through his work and was amplified in later years by a social-media presence that featured him reminiscing about his career or hanging out with animals on his farm, or maybe cuddling a duck.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of cuddling
Verb
  • Carefully turn and cook, spooning butter over, until second side is golden brown and fish is cooked through, about 3 minutes.
    — Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 July 2026
  • The fun part of this recipe is poking holes in the cake and then spooning in the blueberry and strawberry fillings alternately to create the red, white, and blue effect.
    — Brennan Long, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of spooning
Verb
  • West begins nuzzling her, and the two kiss.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 20 May 2026
  • In the end, an Australian photographer claimed the top prize for capturing a tender moment of elephant seal pups nuzzling in a rockpool.
    — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of nuzzling
Verb
  • The actor stars in a new social media advertisement for the brand, in which he is shown playing the guitar, looking out on the beach and petting a dog.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
  • The farm is also holding a Fairy Festival on July 18 and 19 featuring scavenger hunts, fairy stories and other activities in addition to the usual hayrides, petting farm and pony rides.
    — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026
Definition of petting
Verb
  • The day before, he was accused of kissing and fondling a 15-year-old girl who was on the team, KTUL reported.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
  • On the same day Gilson sought protection, the mother of a 15-year-old girl filed a separate protective order alleging Duffey, a youth basketball coach, was seen kissing and fondling the teen while alone with her.
    — Staff reports, Oklahoman, 25 July 2026
Definition of fondling
Verb
  • In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • Pulling out the rocket launcher Mac had bought him on the dark web, Dennis was genuinely overcome, caressing his bucket-list war weapon in stunned gratitude, while Mac beamed in what, on any other show, would be heartwarming friendship.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of caressing
Verb
  • In one clip obtained by People at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, Parker is seen snuggling up to a puppy when Cooper approaches them.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 16 July 2026
  • McLaughlin-Levrone shared more photos of her and her husband snuggling with Savannah on her Instagram Stories.
    — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Definition of snuggling
Verb
  • There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.
    — Fran Moreland Johns, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
  • Alongside Cruise feeding and stroking his dying cat while walking around his mansion with his gut hanging out, there are shots of planes readying for battle and collapsing polar ice caps.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of stroking
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

necked
necking
necklace
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Cite this Entry

“Necking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necking. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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