pawing

verb

present participle of paw
as in nuzzling

Related Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawing
  1. nuzzling
  2. rubbing
  3. stroking
  4. caressing
  5. fondling
  6. kissing
  7. hugging
  8. nudging
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
  • Oh, and a pad from an HTC Vive, because nobody wants the sharp edges of layered plastic extruded from a 3D printer rubbing against their face.
    — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Some of the more envelope-pushing moments, including an extended scene of nuns ripping off their habits and rubbing themselves on a life-sized crucifix, were in the script.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 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
  • The trailer begins as Ziegler’s Mae frantically asks family friend Benny, played by a sleepy Rob Lowe, for help after her big mistake — kissing the wrong brother between Graham Phillips’ Andrew and Elias Kacavas’ Theo.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Shortly after, Lara said her friend was kissing the man near a wall before the pair disappeared.
    — Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of kissing
Verb
  • The women wore maroon unitards with subtle puffed sleeves, while Danchig-Waring’s tank unitard featured two faces in profile, each hugging a side of his waist.
    — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The camera then panned to the Arrowhead Stadium suite where Swift, 36, was watching her husband, 37, and she could be seen hugging Este Haim during the exciting moment.
    — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of hugging
Verb
  • The right combination of nutrients (think magnesium, tryptophan, and complex carbohydrates) can actually steady blood sugar through the night, nudging the body towards better melatonin and serotonin production.
    — Patsy Anthony, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Rounds of streaming price hikes are nudging more viewers to cheaper ad tiers, with significant international growth potential.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 19 Oct. 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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Cite this Entry

“Pawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawing. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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