as in rower
a person who drives a boat forward by means of oars
"All oars ho!" the boatswain ordered
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oar
Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
Our boat had oarlocks, but not oars.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
Caroline Van Hemert, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Mute swans do put on bursts of speed by oaring with their huge webbed feet.
—National Geographic, 19 Oct. 2016
See All Example Sentences for oar
Noun
The only noise is the dip-dip of oars and the ethereal screech of horseshoe bats.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
Our boat had oarlocks, but not oars.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 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
Mute swans do put on bursts of speed by oaring with their huge webbed feet.
—National Geographic, 19 Oct. 2016
See All Example Sentences for oar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oar
Noun
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Athletes seeking their new professional passion upon retirement should be looking out for a good energy match, the champion rower advises.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
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But in resolving a class action lawsuit against San Diego State University, brought by 15 former SDSU rowers and track and field athletes, that six-figure sum represents a potentially historic breakthrough.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Pack food, grab a spot with bay views and spend a full day cycling, paddling and recovering without leaving the park for meals.—
Taylor Haught,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
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LaMothe died of a heart attack last October while paddling his plane out from the shore of a lake in the Ontario bush, preparatory to flying out a party of four moose hunters.—
Doris DeCleene,
Outdoor Life,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some men who were fishing nearby saw the situation and rowed out to help.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
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DeKalb rowed the rapid just moments before Benjamin.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To take your trip beyond the town limits, kayak the river with a rental from Hudson Paddles or head to the Empire State Trail, which has an entry point just blocks from downtown.—
Sarah Cahalan,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
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At 16, the Hoopa Valley tribal member was about to kayak more than 300 miles down the Klamath River from its headwaters in southern Oregon.—
The Editors,
Outside,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Try canoeing the Colorado River, ATV riding on the Imperial Sand Dunes, or sample fresh produce because Yuma delights with plentiful agritourism, too.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
4 Jan. 2026
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My childhood was spent in the Blue Ridge Mountains, camping in the Peaks of Otter, and canoeing down the James River.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oar. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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