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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

Trisha Allison, 50, from Wilford in Nottinghamshire, said her two-year-old collie cross Luna had jumped at her and began pawing and sniffing at her right breast in April.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2023

Tobias rubs the back of his neck, pawing at the Dauntless tattoo like he wants to tear it from his body.

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth