spanked; spanking; spanks
: to strike especially on the buttocks with the open hand
plural spanks
: an act of spanking : a sharp slap or blow to the buttocks usually with the palm of the hand
A variety of approaches have been tried for dealing with this problem, ranging from gently holding the child in the chair to a quick spank, but it is not yet clear which of these approaches is most effective …—
David A. Lieberman
David A. Lieberman
spanked; spanking; spanks
: to move quickly, dashingly, or spiritedly
spanking along in his new car
Synonyms
Noun
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Examples of spank in a Sentence
Noun
delivered a quick spank to the child's bottom for disobedience
Recent Examples on the Web
Amy Wilkinson, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2024
It’s all spanked along by one of those golly-gee bumptious holiday musical scores.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for spank 
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.
Verb
There’s no clearer signal that social mores are a tad bit different in the 18th century than when Claire is spanked by husband Jamie after disobeying one of his orders.
—Amy Wilkinson, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2024
It’s all spanked along by one of those golly-gee bumptious holiday musical scores.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for spank
Dictionary Entries Near spank
Cite this Entry
“Spank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spank. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share