1
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
back in those times it was acceptable for teachers to paddle misbehaving students
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paddle
Days revolve around family time on the sand, paddling on the water, and gobbling scrumptious seafood.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
Throughout the personal disarray, the production is even-keeled, paddling patiently through waves of ambient, dub techno, and progressive house that never truly crest.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
Greenfield arrived in Florida in early January, then embarked on a voyage of reflection and solitude while paddling for nearly two weeks in the Florida Everglades.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Young kids paddled near the shallow edges and bigger kids jumped off the cliffs above the swimming hole, causing the adults to gasp and scold.
—Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paddle
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
Throughout the personal disarray, the production is even-keeled, paddling patiently through waves of ambient, dub techno, and progressive house that never truly crest.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
Greenfield arrived in Florida in early January, then embarked on a voyage of reflection and solitude while paddling for nearly two weeks in the Florida Everglades.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Young kids paddled near the shallow edges and bigger kids jumped off the cliffs above the swimming hole, causing the adults to gasp and scold.
—Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paddle
Verb
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In addition to the standard seaside activities, parkgoers can kayak to secluded coves, clam for their dinner, fish, and surf.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 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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Legend has it that when Buddha was painting the sky, blue pigment dripped onto the floor and his inquisitive chow chow licked the puddle, coloring the dog’s tongue permanently.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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Son disappeared from public view, licking his wounds while also plotting his comeback.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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DeKalb rowed the rapid just moments before Benjamin.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
23 Feb. 2026
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Rob Williams, a managing director in global banking and markets for Goldman Sachs, has spent his entire 14-year corporate career at the company since retiring from rowing in his 20s.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In recent days, the president has remained defiant on the issue, lashing out at the justices for delivering a legal setback on his tariffs, and looking to impose new global tariffs in a different way.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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The governor’s office said state highway officials are redeploying road equipment to the South Coast area as the region continues to be lashed by the brunt of the ongoing storm.—
Todd Prussman,
Boston Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
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To prove how great his feet are, Blanco then whipped off his shoes and insisted the camera zoom in on his foot.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2026
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Though both storms are similar — with a major storm system lingering over the region for over a day and whipping the region with merciless hurricane-level winds, driving inch after inch of wet snow — what made the 1978 storm so devastating was the apparent suddenness of its arrival.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Mute swans do put on bursts of speed by oaring with their huge webbed feet.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
19 Oct. 2016
Verb
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This beloved Italian restaurant is hiding in a Homewood neighborhood.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
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Abdul Hadi spent his days hiding in hovels in distant parts of Syria, turning his mind obsessively over the old days of revolution, over fleeting encounters and terrible choices.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paddle. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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