spanking 1 of 3

Definition of spankingnext

spanking

2 of 3

adverb

spanking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of spank

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of spanking
Adjective
We’d been regularly hit by our father with a spanking spoon for talking back and fighting. Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2024 But the 98-room hotel — occupying floors 40 to 45 of a spanking new mixed-use tower above Tokyo Station in the salary-man district of Chiyoda — is also a first for the brand. Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 16 May 2023
Adverb
There was Vice President Biden's inaugural bromance selfie with President Obama on his brand spanking new Instagram account. Christina Capatides, CBS News, 11 May 2018 Is this just about opportunistic politicians dipping into state coffers so they can be photographed cutting the ribbon at a spanking new factory? New York Times, 8 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for spanking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spanking
Adjective
  • The popularity of the cards led to the creation of a toy line, which then spurred animated TV specials and, eventually, a TV series.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The animated film about a teenager who becomes a beaver to save her animal friends from a freeway construction project pulled in $88 million globally, including $46 million in North America.
    G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • After all, a sandy dance floor calls for a very different footwear strategy than a reception set atop a stone terrace—if shoes are required at all.
    Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The start of the day seemed very normal to me.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Her furious attempts to extricate herself from Ramirez ended with her smacking her head on the parking lot asphalt and Ramirez hitting her in the right eye, according to the arrest report.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Shepard attached the head of a 6-iron golf club to his sample collecting tool and was recorded smacking a couple golf balls across the lunar landscape.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Family discussions will be lively.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Outside of sports, the college town has a lively music scene, numerous craft breweries, and a variety of family-friendly activities, including the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and Bear Hollow Zoo.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • One of the more important revelations from Netanyahu’s press conference was about how the joint strikes with the United States, known as Operation Epic Fury, have been extremely effective at decimating Iran’s weapons.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Yet, actual bones have been extremely rare.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Hellebuyck misplayed the puck behind the net on a wraparound, inadvertently knocking it out front for Reichel to swat in.
    CBS News, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Its branches reached all the way to the top floor of the house, almost knocking at the windows when prompted by the wind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The clubhouse is lively and energetic.
    Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • In Barnes’ case, the boots aren’t just for weekend wear or a short drag routine but need to endure eight shows a week of energetic song and dance performances.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • There’s gonna have to be a lot of that because these NFL rights are going to be so damn expensive, these streaming services are going to have to figure it out.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The Hemi set the bar pretty damn high—Dodge got a comical 1,025-hp claim out of the Demon 170 before ending production of the Challenger.
    Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spanking. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

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