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pawing

VERB

touch roughly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fondle

STRONG

clap claw clutch dig feel finger grab grate grope handle hit maul molest palpate pat rake rasp rub scratch search slap smite stroke

Antonyms

STRONG

guard let go make happy please protect

WEAK

manhandle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sunday’s most intriguing sporting event won’t be Ravens versus the Bills, or Lions pawing at Packers, or even the Jets facing off against their former yoga instructor, Aaron Rodgers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 7, 2025

These are not easy shoes to step into, but Foster spends much of her time onstage barefoot, pawing her way into the part with those dirty, bare-soled, hilariously expressive feet of hers.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024

All he’s doing with this feral pawing for a message is frittering that away.

From Slate • Aug. 3, 2024

Butland kept him out, springing to his right and pawing the shot away.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2024

But on the fourth night he was restless, shaking his head and pawing his ears, his voice distressed at her back.

From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford