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
Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 16 May 2023
My Cat looks tiny and out-of-place among the spanking new hot rods parked out front.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Mar. 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
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
My Cat looks tiny and out-of-place among the spanking new hot rods parked out front.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Mar. 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
-
For both the animated and live-action cinematic work, the storyboards can help the film team understand how to shoot the scenes, anticipate possible difficulties, and facilitate the actors in understanding their characters and the special settings.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The Oscar nominee walked the runway with dramatic, out-to-there lashes that would feel right at home on an animated heroine or villain.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
21 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Next month, the Academy will dutifully hand out Oscars to an array of very deserving, very human winners.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
This very small agency, established in 1985 in response to a number of terrorist attacks and threats around the world including the deadly 1983 bombings of the U.S. embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut, operates in every corner of the globe.—
Donald J. Mihalek,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Riverdale In Riverdale, outside Village Hall, there was a lively scene Tuesday afternoon as members of Michael Airhart’s mayoral campaign were ordered to remove their campaign signs from a median.—
Samantha Moilanen,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Around the room’s standing tables and plush, blush-pink lounge seats, friends, castmates, and both new and familiar faces engaged in lively conversation.—
Jamila Stewart,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
More:Measles continues to spread as Texas outbreak rises to 48 cases: Here's what to know Given that measles is extremely contagious and can cause severe complications including pneumonia and brain swelling, the drop in vaccination rates is concerning.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
In extremely inaccessible areas, helicopters may drop firefighters with dry tools like rakes to impede the fire’s spread.—
Charlie Campbell / Melbourne and Canberra,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The collection includes portraits of McCartney’s bandmates—John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—as well as evocative self-portraits and energetic scenes captured through car windows as the band navigated the chaos of their newfound fame.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the longer, bigger flares may occur due to magnetic reconnection events, or when two different magnetic fields collide near the black hole and release energetic particles moving near the speed of light.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Elle was also seen whipping her hands in a circle to the music during the awards ceremony.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
-
This instant camera captures little moments and big occasions on film, which feels a little more special than whipping out an iPhone.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
As well as being the most active stratovolcano in the world, Mount Etna is also Europe’s highest volcano, at about 3,350 meters (almost 11,000 feet) tall.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The community at the movie’s center is made up of politically active individuals from a vast range of experience, so much of its footage (shot in 2020) concerns protests against police brutality, and other conversations on acceptance.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
The combo of that large, efficient head; the dampening factor of the wood handle; and a nice texture at the base of the grip just felt so damned good, strike after strike.—
Joe Jackson,
Outside Online,
20 Nov. 2024
-
Still, Moore is pretty damned great — this could almost be her Fly.—
Tom Gliatto,
Peoplemag,
20 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Spanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spanking. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share