as in rowers
a person who drives a boat forward by means of oars
"All oars ho!" the boatswain ordered
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Recent Examples of oars
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The only noise is the dip-dip of oars and the ethereal screech of horseshoe bats.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
That is a highly technical presentation that requires the use of oars to manage the drift.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
Now as sailors stepped out into the surf, a great crowd tried to take oars off the first sloop.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The only noise is the dip-dip of oars and the ethereal screech of horseshoe bats.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
That is a highly technical presentation that requires the use of oars to manage the drift.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oars
Noun
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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
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From an outcome perspective, these rowers were synchronizing power and rhythm in perfect alignment.—
Jerry Cahn,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Smith rows for roughly 10 to 12 hours a day, mostly during daylight, and spends the rest of her time maintaining the boat, checking her position, preparing meals and resting.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Oars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oars. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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