as in animated
having much high-spirited energy and movement
a spanking and speedy little horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in very
to a great degree
the bathroom tiles were spanking white when she finished cleaning them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spanking
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
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
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 show's only limit is its imagination, as fans have already seen Captain Pike and his crew delight in musical and animated episodes.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
2 Jan. 2026
-
The sequel, which has the Ghostbusters facing off with the spirit of Vigo the Carpathian and his profoundly negative vibes, ends in a joyous celebration that brings the Big Apple together while an animated Statue of Liberty stomps to the rescue.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
30 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
The senior administration official said the transfer would happen quickly because Venezuela’s crude is very heavy, which means it can’t be stored for long.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Pipes and sewers can be very dangerous for pets and wildlife and Roto-Rooter, with specialized equipment and personnel, has become a go-to call to save cats, dogs, turtles and more.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And the good vibes of those wins quickly dissolved with Toronto smacking them around in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Malika was now smacking the rug in rhythm.—
Joan Silber,
New Yorker,
30 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Chabada For a livelier scene, head to the main drag along Platja de l’Arenal to find Chabada.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The style throughout, irrespective of category, is lively without being hectic, a pleasing postmodern blend of contemporary, midcentury, and roughly Victorian elements.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The first indicator is oftentimes a lack of water flow from faucets when the weather is extremely cold.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Skeeter, 36, serves as the Hornets’ player development coach and is also the primary person who works extremely closely with star guard LaMelo Ball.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether that’s stand in the pocket, whether that’s run, whether that’s scramble, whether that’s hand the ball off 30 times and be energetic about it.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Y'all had me here too damn long!—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Somebody better damn well thank Sal Sapperstein before the night is through.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spanking. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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