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
-
The United Kingdom, for instance, offers a 25.5% tax rebate on 80% of a production’s expenditures in the UK, with higher rebates for animated and independent films.—
Ali Martin,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 June 2025
-
For all his success in the animated realm, DeBlois has never directed a live-action film until now.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Adverb
-
The restaurant itself is long gone and most of the area looks very different, having been rebuilt after the bombing during the Second World War, but there’s an obelisk marking the spot just a few yards from Odeonsplatz square, upon which the club’s founding document is mounted.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
Even in 2006, when violence was at a very high point in Colombia, only 32% of asylum cases were approved.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
The primary bedroom suite mirrors the lively palette of the living room, blending mustard, green, and cobalt in deeply tactile textiles.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
12 June 2025
-
In one image, Turner was seen kissing the singer's head with his arm around her shoulders, while another showed the couple engaged in a lively chat while laying on the ground.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Adverb
-
No vaccine is perfect, the experts said, but the risk with the Covid vaccine is extremely small and the problems like a sore arm or a low-grade fever that some of his patients have experienced resolved quickly.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
-
Stef Stef is extremely mature and grounded in her investigation of the Goon Docks.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
Today, DeVos said that Eliana, now 3, is a happy and energetic toddler, and her scar is hardly noticeable.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
6 June 2025
-
Astronomers have captured the most energetic explosions ever recorded in the universe since the big bang as massive stars get ripped apart by supermassive black holes.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
5 June 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
-
Since the show's conclusion, Zoe has remained active in the fashion and lifestyle space, in part through her newsletter The Zoe Report, which launched in 2009.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
Action step: Practice active listening during meetings.—
Kent Ingle,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adverb
-
While Nintendo mostly conceded the corporate tug-of-war over graphical prowess back in 2006 with the Wii, the general plateau of visual enhancements over the last two generations means that games running on Switch 2 look pretty damned good even compared to more premium devices.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 June 2025
-
This is typically where everyone’s hindsight becomes so damned good.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spanking. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share