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.

Doncic and Magic forward Goga Bitadze were jawing back and forth in the third quarter when Doncic was at the free-throw line.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

After jawing with members of McDonnell’s security detail, Reedy got into a heated exchange with Alan Hamilton, a deputy chief who runs the detective bureau.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

Roberts and Shildt continued jawing through it all.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2025

Kraken winger Jordan Eberle, a former Islanders player not exactly known for pugilism, immediately went at Pulock and the two locked arms for several seconds staring and jawing at one another.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024

I was jawing with Mama about the folks at our church.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan