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
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
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
-
Between the beautiful landscapes rolling by outside the panoramic windows, the animated storytelling of the onboard hosts, and the delicious meals, long days on the Rocky Mountaineer seem to fly by.—
Jessica Poitevien,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The animated family film, which follows a scrawny anthropomorphic goat with dreams of sports stardom, looks to earn $13 million to 14 million through Sunday for a domestic total of $54 million to $55 million.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Tel Aviv, Israel — Undermining this moment of relief for many repressed Iranians is that killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a perilously simple fix to a very complex problem.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The Innova 5610 is very capable and has decent price.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
In his defense, Barnett took the stand to say there was no murder plot and that Thomas extorted him for the money using physical violence – knocking out his teeth, injured his left shoulder, and smacking his private parts.—
Sydney Pereira,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The steak was soft on the inside and as crunchy as the herb-flecked fries on the out, and the buttery Dijon spread ringing the plate added a lively dimension.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
-
This is one of our liveliest, a recipe packed with fresh berries and savory bacon, making for an ideal flavor balance.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Today any surface that has a coating, any device that uses stacks of extremely thin films — television screens, cell phone screens and the microchips inside — can be traced back to Katharine, repeatedly dipping a metal plate in a trough of water.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Wlazlo is extremely driven and results-oriented, Tessaro said.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
During the heated back and forth, the other man kicked the victim in the upper body twice, knocking him onto the tracks, witnesses told police.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
One of them punched him in the face, knocking some of his teeth out.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Attendees will also enjoy an elevated networking reception and delicious tastings from local restaurants, creating a dynamic and energetic atmosphere for meaningful connections.—
Dawn Giangiulio,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Another challenge came from working on a project for five years and trying to keep everybody aligned, motivated and energetic.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
It’s been done pretty damn well for many, many, many decades.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Opponents are finding it too damn easy to get to the bucket and as a result, the offense faces momentous pressure down the stretch of these games because stops and takeaways aren't falling from the sky.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spanking. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
