oar 1 of 2

noun

ˈȯr How to pronounce oar (audio)
Definition of oarnext
as in rower
a person who drives a boat forward by means of oars "All oars ho!" the boatswain ordered

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

oar

2 of 2

verb

as in to paddle
to move a boat by means of oars since the wind had completely died, they had to oar the sailboat back to shore

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 oar
Noun
Where the Battle of the Gullet struggles isn’t to do with how handmade the gunwales are, nor how battered the oars. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 June 2026 When Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 on Monday night at New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium outside of the FIFA tournament), the players took a seat on the grass, and as one teammate pounded a drum, the rest began to pull their arms back in unison, as if moving an oar through the water. — Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 23 June 2026
Verb
For centuries, Vikings navigated these waters by sail and oar; today, ferries and charter boats offer comfortable, scenic access to the islands. — Caroline Van Hemert, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oar
  1. rower
  2. paddle
  3. row
  4. kayak
  5. canoe
Noun
  • Among a sea of rowers afterwards was Crown Prince Haakon, heir to Norway’s throne.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Allow somebody to bring their family in here, row, watch the rowers row at sunset.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of rower
Verb
  • At Monarch Bay Beach Club, the coastline becomes an extension of the wellness journey, where guests can paddle across calm waters, learn to surf with expert guidance, or simply spend the afternoon immersed in the restorative presence of the ocean.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 31 July 2026
  • Winter visitors flock here for aurora displays, while summer brings nearly endless daylight and the chance to paddle rivers, visit gold rush attractions, and soak in nearby natural hot springs.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2026
Definition of paddle
Verb
  • The basic premise—people rowing together to a rhythm—does have a historical precedent.
    — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Most of the time, however, would be spent rowing on one of the largest authentic ancient ships in the world, which was used specifically for filming the movie.
    — Alice Politi, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026
Definition of row
Verb
  • As the World Cup sees a surge in traveler interest in Norway, here’s how to kayak its fjords and feast in the outdoors like the Vikings once did.
    — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Weather permitting, equipment is available so guests can kayak or paddleboard on the lake.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of kayak
Verb
  • Before tucking into an unforgettable meal, head to the Pickering Creek Audubon Center to hike or canoe around the marsh, or spend a couple of hours exploring the historic downtown area.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2026
  • On the surface level, there are over 80 miles of trails, with varying degrees of difficulty and opportunities to canoe, kayak, or boat on the Green River.
    — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 15 June 2026
Definition of canoe

Browse Nearby Words

oafs
oar
oared
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oar. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on oar

Nglish: Translation of oar for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All