paddled

verb

past tense of paddle
1
as in rowed
to move a boat by means of oars I like to paddle on the river for exercise and relaxation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in licked
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 paddled The summer after the country celebrated its 200th birthday, David Hearn paddled a canoe nicknamed the Queen Mary around the Reflecting Pool as part of an event intended to draw attention to a sport that would later lead him to Olympic glory. — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026 Charlie and Dolly hopped on board as their dad paddled them along this gorgeous surf. — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026 Mystery illnesses have struck several groups of Grand Canyon rafters who paddled the Colorado River, prompting the National Park Service to investigate whether something in or along the river is making people sick. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 July 2026 On the coast, the quirky tradition that is the Hermosa Beach Ironman returned, too, as dozens of people ran, paddled and drank a six pack of suds. — Daily News, 4 July 2026 Some shaggy buffalo drowsed in a patch of shade, and a hose fed water into a large puddle where a white goose paddled in tight circles. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026 Authorities said Brian Hooker then paddled to shore and alerted someone about her disappearance early Sunday. — R.j. Rico, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 The current carried her away, according to Brian, who paddled back to a marina at Marsh Harbor. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026 Authorities said the woman’s husband paddled to shore and alerted someone about the incident early Sunday. — ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paddled
  1. rowed
  2. licked
  3. lashed
  4. pounded
  5. whipped
  6. pelted
  7. battered
  8. slapped
Verb
  • The ship is regularly sailed and rowed, and on select outings visitors can even take an oar themselves—making Tønsberg one of the few places where World Cup fans can find out just how much harder the real thing is than the stadium version.
    — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The section rowed when Norway went up 1-0 in the first half and still rowed even after England went up 2-1 in overtime.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
Definition of rowed
Verb
  • Grande licked one of them, and fans were immediately outraged by the moment.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 16 July 2026
  • As flames licked at the fabric and smoke curled toward the ceiling, an overcapacity crowd of more than 1,800 panicked, rushing for the exits and jamming against doors that opened inward.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of licked
Verb
  • Beijing lashed out, restricting vital commerce and the flow of Chinese tourists on which Japan – the world’s fourth-largest economy – depends.
    — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026
  • Trump has repeatedly lashed out at the CNN White House correspondent, and her colleagues have defended her against him.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of lashed
Verb
  • Rainwater rushed into Filament Theatre in the Portage Park neighborhood on Monday as severe storms pounded the Chicago area.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Later in the inning, during a mound visit with Doval, Sánchez pulled down his catcher’s mask and pounded his chest to take responsibility for the bad throw.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of pounded
Verb
  • Three minutes later, Son put away a volley after Carles Gil stopped a ball at the end line and whipped a cross into the center of the box.
    — Kamran Nia July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • Juan Rivera tried mate for the first time from his now wife Tiffany, who whipped it up for him while manning a beverage booth at a music festival.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of whipped
Verb
  • However, during the curtain call, outstanding — or maybe just good-looking — male actors are sometimes pelted with loose flowers by their admirers.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 July 2026
  • In addition to taking part in a yoga session with the goats, Harry was pelted with water balloons on an inflatable obstacle course and asked an emotional question by a 9-year-old girl named Poppy during his time at the festival.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
Definition of pelted
Verb
  • Along the narrow hallway, bookshelves burst with first editions of John Updike, battered Stephen Kings, graphic novels, dime-store paperbacks, board games, books about mythology, children’s fairy tales, and Warhammer rule sets.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 July 2026
  • Footage shows the lifeguard holding onto the boy even as the two repeatedly get battered by waves that keep pulling them back into the surf.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 28 July 2026
Definition of battered
Verb
  • The liability verdict Basabe’s former aide, Nicolas Frevola, testified that Basabe slapped him in the face at a private event in January 2023 and that Basabe slapped his butt without his consent a month prior.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • The Atlanta Journal’s weather reporter went to Florida to spend a quiet vacation away from the elements — and on the very first day a tropical storm jumped up and slapped him in the face.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of slapped

Browse Nearby Words

paddleboats
paddled
paddles
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Cite this Entry

“Paddled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paddled. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on paddled

Nglish: Translation of paddled for Spanish Speakers

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