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
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 paddle
Williams and some friends loaded her animals onto a small boat and paddled back and forth, dropping them off at the house built by her parents.
—
CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
Today, over a third of the states allow teachers to paddle or spank students.
—Christina Erickson, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Image Image As an ambitious Black actress in the ’70s, Rashad paddled along the coast of stardom, never quite hitting the shore.
—Reggie Ugwu, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
The girls went missing on Monday around 4 p.m., paddling toward Cedar Key from Aactsena Otie.
Several units, including the county’s marine unit, the Flordia Wildlife Center and the Coast Guard were called to help with the search.
—Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paddle
CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
Today, over a third of the states allow teachers to paddle or spank students.
—Christina Erickson, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Image Image As an ambitious Black actress in the ’70s, Rashad paddled along the coast of stardom, never quite hitting the shore.
—Reggie Ugwu, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
The girls went missing on Monday around 4 p.m., paddling toward Cedar Key from Aactsena Otie.
Several units, including the county’s marine unit, the Flordia Wildlife Center and the Coast Guard were called to help with the search.
—Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paddle
Verb
-
Fundraising craters, and both tech and blockchain are left licking their wounds.—
Tomer Warschauer Nuni,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
-
To stop their younger golden retriever Cooper from licking his ears, Tucker had a medical cone.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Smith sees rowing as not just a fitness phenomenon, but a life philosophy.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
-
Settle once again came to the rescue by providing his own canoe to the team, who quickly rowed out to meet the young raptors.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
As judges have ruled against the Trump administration, the president and his allies have lashed out in response, suggesting judges should not be allowed to constrain Trump's presidential actions and calling for judges to be impeached.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
-
The Journal’s editorial page has weighed in multiple times against Trump’s tariffs, and the president has in turn lashed out at the publication.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
But canoeing over open water, defenseless in an aluminum craft that couldn’t stop a bullet any better than a sheet of paper, Ethan’s fear gets white hot.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Amenities skew low-key, including a noteworthy free breakfast, afternoon coffee and tea, and canoeing on Moraine Lake.—
Laura Studarus,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
After the animal snapped and whipped its tail, Dragich wrangled the gator onto the shoulder of the highway.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
1 May 2025
-
Instead, as Gauff belied her recent struggles on her forehand side by whipping the ball up and down into the court and out of her opponent’s easy reach time and again, Świątek looked adrift.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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,
National Geographic,
19 Oct. 2016
Verb
-
Each level is also absolutely crawling with secret collectibles hidden in various nooks and crannies, which often tease you with a glimpse through a hole in some impassable wall or rock formation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 May 2025
-
Lastly, clean up any rotting wood or loose leaves from your property to give these ants fewer places to hide.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
Conforto, representing the tying run, pounded a 95.2 mph groundball for an inning-ending double play.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
-
My heart was pounding through my chest standing there hitting.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paddle. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share