spank
1 of 3verb (1)
ˈspaŋk 
spanked; spanking; spanks
transitive verb
: to strike especially on the buttocks with the open hand
spank
2 of 3noun
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. Liebermanspank
3 of 3verb (2)
spanked; spanking; spanks
intransitive verb
: 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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web John Archibald | Jarchibald@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 As a schoolgirl in Brooklyn, Betty Rhyzyk once grabbed the yardstick from Sister Mary Ignatius, the teacher who was about to spank her, and whacked the nun instead. Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2021 Then the mother asked Self if the school could spank the child for her. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 8 May 2021 Florida prosecutors have determined that no crime was committed after video circulated of an elementary school principal using a paddle to spank a 6-year-old girl whose mother secretly recorded it on video and alleged battery and child abuse. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 8 May 2021 Rivera then asked the school to spank the child for her, according to Self's testimony. Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 8 May 2021 So Gershoff says that in spite of the lingering controversy, the safest approach parents can take is not to spank their kids. Melinda Wenner Moyer, Scientific American, 3 May 2016 Stephens answered with two blistering winners, one a backhand down the line, one a crosscourt forehand, and had another highlight-film winner, an inside-out forehand, to spank away another break point. Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2020 Furthermore, there is a worrying body of research suggesting that parents who spank will later use harsher forms of punishment. Melinda Wenner Moyer, Scientific American, 3 May 2016 See More
Verb
And some principals can just decide to spank anyway. John Archibald | Jarchibald@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 As a schoolgirl in Brooklyn, Betty Rhyzyk once grabbed the yardstick from Sister Mary Ignatius, the teacher who was about to spank her, and whacked the nun instead. Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2021 Then the mother asked Self if the school could spank the child for her. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 8 May 2021 Florida prosecutors have determined that no crime was committed after video circulated of an elementary school principal using a paddle to spank a 6-year-old girl whose mother secretly recorded it on video and alleged battery and child abuse. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 8 May 2021 Rivera then asked the school to spank the child for her, according to Self's testimony. Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 8 May 2021 So Gershoff says that in spite of the lingering controversy, the safest approach parents can take is not to spank their kids. Melinda Wenner Moyer, Scientific American, 3 May 2016 Stephens answered with two blistering winners, one a backhand down the line, one a crosscourt forehand, and had another highlight-film winner, an inside-out forehand, to spank away another break point. Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2020 Furthermore, there is a worrying body of research suggesting that parents who spank will later use harsher forms of punishment. Melinda Wenner Moyer, Scientific American, 3 May 2016 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
imitative
Verb (2)
back-formation from spanking
First Known Use
Verb (1)
circa 1712, in the meaning defined above
Noun
circa 1785, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
1788, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
spank
verb
ˈspaŋk
spanked; spanking
: to strike on the buttocks with the open hand
spanked
verb
as in smacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- smacked
- banged
- thumped
- knocked
- battered
- whipped
- pounded
- buffeted
- flopped
- flailed
- fluttered
- flicked
- flapped
- beat
- swung
- flitted
- flickered
- swayed
- fanned
- oscillated
- waved
- throbbed
- pulsed
- undulated
- palpitated