Kneading: meaning, definitions and examples

Can also refer to a cat pressing its paws against a surface in a rhythmic motion.

• The cat was kneading my lap, making it quite comfortable before settling down.

Can be used more broadly to describe the act of putting effort or labor into a task.

• He was working on his car in the garage all afternoon.
• She spent hours working on her project for school.

Commonly used in the context of applying pressure and rubbing muscles to relieve tension and pain.

• He was massaging her shoulders to help relax the tight muscles.
• The massage therapist spent an hour massaging her back and neck.

Often used when referring to hitting or striking something with force repeatedly, usually with a somewhat negative connotation.

• The chef was pounding the meat to tenderize it before cooking.
• The loud music made my head feel like it was pounding.

Typically used when talking about working dough with your hands to mix ingredients and develop gluten for baking.

• She spent 15 minutes kneading the dough until it was smooth.
• Kneading the dough is essential for making good bread.

Used in context of therapeutically rubbing and pressing someone's body to relieve pain, tension, or to promote relaxation.

• She booked a massage to help with her back pain.
• Massage therapy can reduce stress and improve circulation.

Generally refers to moving something back and forth against a surface with pressure, often to achieve cleaning, soothing, or polishing effects.

• He was rubbing his temples to ease the headache.
• Rubbing the cloth on the silverware made it shine.

Often used to describe skillful handling or control of something, sometimes with a negative implication of deceit or trickery.

• The therapist used gentle manipulation to align his spine.
• The politician's manipulation of facts got him into trouble.