Synonyms of paddle

paddle

verb

1

as in to kayak

to move a boat by means of oars

I like to paddle on the river for exercise and relaxation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kayak
• row
• canoe
• oar
• scull
• pull
• pole
• punt
• feather

2

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly

back in those times it was acceptable for teachers to paddle misbehaving students

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lick
• lash
• whip
• hide
• pound
• beat
• batter
• spank
• bat
• slap
• pelt
• knock
• hit
• thump
• punch
• do
• assault
• attack
• chop
• slam
• smash
• hammer
• club
• maul
• punch out
• switch
• pummel
• belt
• tan
• slate
• bludgeon
• smack
• bash
• whale
• birch
• thrash
• raid
• curry
• buffet
• box
• work over
• lather
• swipe
• whup
• pommel
• whack
• lace
• slog
• wallop
• storm
• drub
• flog
• whop
• thresh
• rough (up)
• fib
• beat up on
• wound
• bung up
• strap
• swat
• tromp
• cane
• baste
• lambaste
• thwack
• crack
• sock
• belabor
• descend (on or upon)
• leather
• cudgel
• cuff
• mess (up)
• rush
• lay on
• flagellate
• paste
• clobber
• jump (on)
• pounce (on or upon)
• horsewhip
• clout
• whomp
• blackjack
• bust
• wham
• cowhide
• lam
• assail
• scourge
• rawhide
• lacerate
• beset
• pistol-whip
• mutilate
• gore
• mangle
• maim
• fustigate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of paddle

For starters, small robots that can hop over debris and paddle through water using the same limbs are useful in inspections and search-and-rescue operations in debris-heavy sites. — New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Clotilde Charpentier, who could play music no better than a hen could float and paddle in the Patriarch’s Ponds, would walk behind John’s coffin, with a heavy black veil to shield herself from the January wind and people’s appraising looks. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Cime Aventure leads paddling excursions on the Bonaventure River, one of the clearest in the world, and a highlight on the Gaspésie Tour. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026

In coastal sections of New York and New Jersey, the storm triggered such intense flooding that residents were seen paddling through their neighborhoods on kayaks and canoes, past parked cars that had become partially or nearly submerged in water. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026