Thesaurus results for PAWING

pawing

verb

present participle of paw

as in nuzzling

Related Words

Relevance

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

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

And yet, the ball still fell a few inches short, kissing the front of the United Center rim.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
The friends made headlines several times over the years for so openly showing affection to each other, frequently kissing on the lips at red carpet events.

— Selome Hailu, Variety, 30 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawing. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of pawing

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

satiate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 SCRABBLE Dictionary

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes