LADLING Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

ladling

verb

present participle of ladle

as in scooping

to lift out with something that holds liquid the server ladled out the soup from a large tureen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of ladling The style traces to Welsh rarebit (a pub classic of cheese sauce over toast) and found a second life here when the Younkers Tea Room started ladling its signature sauce over hamburgers mid‑century. — Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 1 Apr. 2026 More than three dozen businesses will be ladling up the cozy stuff this year, including a few of my favorites from past events. — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026 The highlight for many is the Clam Chowder Cook-Off, where local restaurants go head-to-head, ladling out samples for visitors to taste and vote on. — Pismo Beach Conference, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025 Muckey and another musician encouraged her to drink, at one point ladling alcohol over an ice luge. — Sammy Sussman, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ladling

Verb

This involves getting up on a ladder and scooping the leaves, twigs and other debris out of your gutters (or hiring someone to do the job).

— Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
My child can spend hours scooping beans and pouring them between the plates.

— Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of scooping

Verb

Carefully turn and cook, spooning butter over, until second side is golden brown and fish is cooked through, about 3 minutes.

— Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 July 2026
The fun part of this recipe is poking holes in the cake and then spooning in the blueberry and strawberry fillings alternately to create the red, white, and blue effect.

— Brennan Long, Southern Living, 3 July 2026

Definition of spooning

Browse Nearby Words

ladles

ladling

lads

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ladling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ladling. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ladling

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes