Thesaurus results for PAWING

pawing

verb

present participle of paw

as in nuzzling

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawing

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 bigger claim making the rounds, that a few minutes of face rubbing can quiet your body’s stress response, is where dermatologists urge a little caution.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 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 rubbing

Verb

Guests have reported footsteps in the attic, the feeling of someone stroking their face, a shower rode repeatedly flying off the wall and loud noises from outside the front door when no one is there.

— Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.

— Fran Moreland Johns, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026

Definition of stroking

Verb

In one video, pop singer Madison Beer was seen caressing Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's face as if the two were shooting a scene straight out of a reality show.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of caressing

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

That’s because the acting Oscar races are really more akin to a political campaign that involves millions of dollars, months of meet-and-greets and kissing metaphorical babies, and dozens of screenings and press appearances.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
They were photographed holding hands and kissing during the trip.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of kissing

Verb

After the game, where Wilson dominated yet again, leading all scorers with 36 points, along with 10 rebounds, Wilson was seen hugging team owner Mark Davis, as well as friends, and her mother, Eva Rakes Wilson.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Di Felice’s re-edition of the iconic vinyl mini skirts and jackets was an instant success, while his figure-hugging clubwear and boot-cut jeans cemented his reputation for a bold, distinctive style.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of hugging

Verb

Expect wearables and continuous glucose monitors to start nudging users to move within the 15-to-30-minute window after eating, replacing generic daily step prompts.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026
The fish folds its body, trying to turn or swim, the water nudging overtop.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of nudging

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

pawed

pawing

pawky

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“Pawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawing. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pawing

verb

Example Sentences

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