as in rowers
a person who drives a boat forward by means of oars
"All oars ho!" the boatswain ordered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 oars
Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 2025
At the end of each stroke, when the insect lifts these oars from the water, the fans snap shut.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
The Chinese take-out eatery included a dining area themed to look like a Tiki lounge with bamboo, oars, totems and puffer fish lamps.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
With Tyler standing at the oars, the band advances from the back of the pack, Ace and Michael on the bow playing Jimmy Cliff’s Sitting Here in Limbo.
—John Briley, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
Paraty, Brazil Whitewashed facades and cobbled streets shimmer in the tide as Paraty stirs to the clink of oars and the scent of fresh-roasted coffee.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Sending them to school with no supplies is like buying them a boat with no oars.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
Rangel went on to describe what happened next, with the men using driftwood oars to attempt to row their vessel to the mainland before heavy winds ran them aground and wrecked the boat.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 2025
At the end of each stroke, when the insect lifts these oars from the water, the fans snap shut.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
The Chinese take-out eatery included a dining area themed to look like a Tiki lounge with bamboo, oars, totems and puffer fish lamps.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
With Tyler standing at the oars, the band advances from the back of the pack, Ace and Michael on the bow playing Jimmy Cliff’s Sitting Here in Limbo.
—John Briley, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
Paraty, Brazil Whitewashed facades and cobbled streets shimmer in the tide as Paraty stirs to the clink of oars and the scent of fresh-roasted coffee.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Sending them to school with no supplies is like buying them a boat with no oars.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oars
Noun
-
From an outcome perspective, these rowers were synchronizing power and rhythm in perfect alignment.—
Jerry Cahn,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In the 2,000-meter 8+ race, Kate and Gabby shared the boat with a total of eight rowers plus a coxswain who steers the boat and sets the cadence.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As of Wednesday morning, one resale website had Grand Casino Arena tickets, 11 rows up from the ice, for the opening day game between Sweden and Slovakia selling for $35.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
3 Dec. 2025
-
The public rows between David Gilmour and Roger Waters have escalated to a very personal level, particularly in regards to their political leanings about Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
13 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oars. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share