SPANKING Synonyms: 258 Similar and Opposite Words

spanking 1 of 3

adjective

ˈspaŋ-kiŋ

Definition of spanking

as in animated

having much high-spirited energy and movement a spanking and speedy little horse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spanking

2 of 3

adverb

as in very

to a great degree the bathroom tiles were spanking white when she finished cleaning them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spanking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of spank

as in smacking

Related Words

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

The rapper born Jeffrey Bruce Atkins was all over the place, promoting his spanking new Amber & Opal, a top shelf honey botanical whiskey. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025 Owner Ted Leonsis will not move to a spanking new facility in Northern Virginia. — Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

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

But that’s all to the good for this rare example of original animated storytelling in a sea of IP and sequels.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2026
Both players are intense and animated competitors, and their fan bases' are fiercely loyal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of animated

Adverb

The hotel is very grown up, and therefore not exactly relaxing with very young kids (or, at least, not with my kid)—although children are not discouraged.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Thirteen are rated at very high risk or in default, and 23 have no rating from the big agencies, which cuts them from international bond markets.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of very

Verb

But Varma and Shivam Dube (27) upped the ante in the final three overs by smacking 57 runs against Sufyan Moqim, Ayub and Ahmed Daniyal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of smacking

Adjective

Echenoz sketches a lively and personal view of the bonds and minor psychoses that can occur when two people work in tandem, and sometimes in conflict.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
This three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath house sat just off lively Main Street in Beacon, a town of about 15,000 people on the Hudson River.

— Gabe Castro-Root, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of lively

Adverb

Experts attribute the extremely warm ocean temperatures that fueled Rachel, which peaked as a Category 3 hurricane, in part to El Niño.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
All this makes the Home app very easy to use, but extremely underpowered.

— Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of extremely

Verb

For the hearing impaired, select rooms feature visual fire alarms plus signals for telephone ringing and door knocking.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Political handicapping has a way of knocking people down a couple of notches.

— Nathan Gonzales CQ-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of knocking

Adjective

Cheers, jeers, and energetic call-and-response exchanges echoed through the hall as the audience, dressed in bright green, pink, and red, some wearing candidate T-shirts, listened.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Swelling the two-person ranks of Price, Siffre and Associates is Michael’s energetic former assistant, Christy Palladino (Ella Stiller), fired for talking to him on the phone.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of energetic

Browse Nearby Words

spanked

spanking

spanks

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“Spanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spanking. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spanking

adjective

adverb

verb

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