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 Kevin Burns and his friend, who Barbera did not identify, had paddled about half a mile offshore to a reef, secured their boards and got into the water to snorkel, Burns’ friend told deputies. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • In 2020, Steinberg successfully rowed over 2,500 miles from Monterey, California to Kaneohe, Hawaii alone in a 23-foot rowboat across 71 days.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of rowed
Verb
  • Tuxedo kitten Paolina bounced onto my chest and licked my fingers.
    — Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Her entire face got licked clean off her head when suburban floodwaters breached the cardboard hull protecting Kath’s basement memorabilia stack a few months before I was born.
    — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of licked
Verb
  • Last month, Trump lashed out on coverage of poll results, which have been sagging in the 30s as Republicans seek to retain control of Congress.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Outside a fierce storm lashed down, wind whipped against the wood planks, thunder shook the ground, water streamed through cracks and floated into the shack.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of lashed
Verb
  • Russia pounded Kyiv for more than 12 hours in a sixth straight night of attacks, killing at least 12 people including six railway workers and an Indian citizen, and devastating civilian districts.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Floods of ‘destructive force’ blast through the canyon As the rain pounded the canyon Saturday, park officials received an alert from the National Weather Service warning of flash flooding in the area.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of pounded
Verb
  • While holding Gnocchi, a large street cleaning truck whipped down the street and startled him into clawing away.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Cheese foam is a smooth and slightly salty whipped foam topping popular in boba drinks.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of whipped
Verb
  • Damaging winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Lowell pelted Hawaii's western islands early Tuesday, knocking out power, damaging roads and buildings and bringing the threat of flash floods and mudslides.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Being pelted on the world’s stage with the modern equivalent of rotten tomatoes – memes and scathing online posts – hasn't kept the dancer, born Rachael Gunn, from laughing.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of pelted
Verb
  • Kevin Fujii / Honolulu Civil Beat via AP Other islands were also battered, including Oahu, where maximum wind gusts topped 50 mph.
    — Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The wealthy city’s economy was also battered by a financial crisis that swept across Asia.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of battered
Verb
  • Apple has now discontinued the older 17 Pro models and slapped $100 price hikes on all other existing models, including the regular iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Washington had then slapped new 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian wine, hockey sticks and other key goods.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 9 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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