as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
delivered a quick spank to the child's bottom for disobedience
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spank
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024
Monroe grabbed him, gave him a spank and sent him back on course.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 6 Apr. 2022
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
The Americans spanked them in Lille nine days ago, 110-84, taking control late in the third quarter.
—David Aldridge, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spank 
Noun
Inter Miami underlined its status as MLS favorites with a 5-0 home spank of rival Orlando City Saturday on two goals apiece from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, leaving the Herons unbeaten (two wins, one draw) in three games.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024
Monroe grabbed him, gave him a spank and sent him back on course.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 6 Apr. 2022
Verb
In 2014, he was charged with felony child abuse after using a switch to spank his then 4-year-old son, which resulted in a suspension.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
The Americans spanked them in Lille nine days ago, 110-84, taking control late in the third quarter.
—David Aldridge, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spank
Noun
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But while your face gets the royal treatment, does the rest of your skin survive on occasional slaps of expired lotion?—
Erin Bunch,
SELF,
5 Feb. 2025
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And when a fish slacks off, the octopus isn’t shy about delivering it a swift slap.—
Jake Parks,
Discover Magazine,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The stock is getting smacked around after the bell, down 5%.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2025
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Musk's Controversial Gesture Musk smacked his chest and forcefully extended his right arm during a speech on January 20 during a rally after President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Outlook Single Double Triple Homer Texas moved quickly to bring in Pederson after trading Nathaniel Lowe, sacrificing a lot of fielding value but maintaining similar left-handed thump for the lineup.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
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Talanoa Hufanga against the run The Niners’ veteran safety provided serious thump and steady run fits to help San Francisco’s defense keep the Rams out of the end zone in this game.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The blow knocked Cronin unconscious, according to the lawsuit.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2025
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Our director, our director of photography, and the whole crew really knocked it out of the park, in terms of staging that night and the aftermath of the hurricane as well.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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However, this is a huge win for City and a devastating blow for England’s top flight.—
Dan Sheldon,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
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The new season of Kitchen Nightmares has seen the star chef come to blows with restaurant owners over practices such as sending out raw hamburgers and (in last week’s episode) appearing to give customers food poisoning.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Kindt was arrested on a domestic assault charge after he was accused of banging Hagen’s head on a night stand and pushing her against several pieces of furniture.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2025
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Several times during our interview, one of us had to speak up to be heard over the clanging of this or banging of that.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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As its predecessor, the new show is sure to be a hit with tweens.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
7 Feb. 2025
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The doors to businesses are left open, inviting hungry diners in and letting a cacophony of country music, dueling-piano classics, and Top 40 hits spill out.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Cookie whipped them and forced them to walk on burning pavement.—
Lawrence Wright,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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Pitchers and catchers report to the Padres’ spring training complex on Wednesday, leaving the team six weeks to whip the roster in shape for opening day.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near spank
Cite this Entry
“Spank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spank. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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