pawing

Definition of pawingnext
present participle of paw
See the Dictionary Definition 

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pawing
Verb
  • In the end, an Australian photographer claimed the top prize for capturing a tender moment of elephant seal pups nuzzling in a rockpool.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The video shows his two pet dogs, with a mutt named Thunder in the lead, nuzzling open a sliding door to get outside into the yard.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Harvest quinoa by hitting the flower stalks against a hard surface or rubbing them between your hands to separate the seeds from the flower parts or chaff.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026
  • An employee washed hands for less than 10 seconds at the sushi bar, and the inspector wants to see 10-15 seconds of your hands rubbing each other.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Alongside Cruise feeding and stroking his dying cat while walking around his mansion with his gut hanging out, there are shots of planes readying for battle and collapsing polar ice caps.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Two-year-old Lily Capasso stopped by, stroking a small paint brush on the starting line – a sign that the world’s most iconic marathon is for everyone, no matter their age.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The basis of the important therapy stems from studies showing that holding and caressing an animal provides benefits such as relaxation, lower blood pressure, decreasing anxiety, and increasing positivity, according to the news release.
    Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Antonio Burton, 37, was originally charged with child molesting when the defendant is at least 21 years old, a Level 1 felony, and child molesting, fondling or touching a child under 14, a Level 4 felony.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Worse is to come as Waaler insists on creepily fondling her cooling corpse — and makes Hole to do the same.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • People should avoid kissing or snuggling with backyard birds, the CDC says.
    Jonel Aleccia, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Chalamet and Jenner have been romantically linked since April 2023, and they were seen kissing during a Beyoncé concert in early September 2023.
    Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Kardashians reality star made her Paris runway debut at the Balenciaga Couture show in July 2022, alongside Nicole Kidman and Naomi Campbell in a body-hugging black dress.
    Emily Kirkpatrick, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Russini resigned from The Athletic earlier this month amid mounting criticism over her relationship with Vrabel, the New England Patriots’ head coach, after being photographed hugging and holding hands at a private resort in Sedona, Arizona.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • OpenAI, for example, added a feature to ChatGPT in August that encourages users to take breaks after using the tool for extended periods of time instead of nudging them to keep responding.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Five‑generation workforces that tap older adults as talent, mentors, and innovators instead of nudging them to the sidelines.
    Ken Dychtwald, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Pawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pawing. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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