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
  • Lion Forge Entertainment develops and produces animated and live-action content targeting kids and family, YA and adult audiences.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The company is taking advantage of California’s recent changes to the tax incentive program expanding the eligible categories of production to include animated movies.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • This other cousin is now in her mid-70s and has always enjoyed a very luxurious life due to the business success of her father – my uncle – and our grandfather.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • With the naked eye and especially through good binoculars, its conjunction with a slender crescent moon on May 18 will be very pleasing to see.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Ruiz, making his fourth start, has hit two home runs in 14 Marlins plate appearances after smacking seven in his first 621 in the big leagues.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
  • The flashes were caused by rocky objects smacking into the lunar surface, and the astronauts’ observations of them caused scientists in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center to erupt in cheers.
    Denise Chow, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Tollgate, a pub frequented by hundreds of United supporters on matchdays, is lively even two and a half hours before kick-off.
    Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 May 2026
  • That was until this Dutch upstart with his European aesthetic, lively and colorful stores and eye-popping marketing campaigns began to chisel away at their market share.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
Adverb
  • These special releases can be extremely valuable, especially if only a small batch is issued.
    Nina Derwin, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The innermost region of any solar system, closest to the parent star, will be extremely hot and subject to large amounts of radiation.
    Big Think, Big Think, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Business Insider previously obtained an internal document that described damage to one data center knocking 14 EC2 cloud server racks offline, in addition to impacting five other server racks.
    Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
  • Tollinche allegedly antagonizes people on the social media platform, and neighborhood teens have recently been gathering outside his home, knocking on his door and calling him out, according to police.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Harbour The Harbour will be an outdoor theme park with both wet and dry experiences inspired by Asia's most energetic cities.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 4 May 2026
  • The awkward catching-up process turns into energetic conversations about race, relationships, class, status and rehabilitation, then shifts to deep familial spiritual bonding.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
Adverb
  • Or damn near the entire overtime period, as Oettinger fended off shot after shot, the 11th one finally getting past as Matt Boldy won a puck battle in the corner, went straight to the top of the blue paint, and deflected in a Jared Spurgeon shot for the game-winner.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • And therein lies screenwriter John Logan’s and director Antoine Fuqua’s damn near insurmountable hurdle.
    Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spanking. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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