paddling 1 of 2

noun

as in whipping

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paddling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of paddle
1
as in kayaking
to move a boat by means of oars I like to paddle on the river for exercise and relaxation

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in licking
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 paddling
Noun
To explore the waterways independently, rent kayaks or paddle boards to enjoy other paddling trails in the area. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 7 July 2026 The clinics include water knowledge and hazards, dry land drills and games, water skills and drills, prone paddling on rescue boards, water rescue drills and relays. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland The Assateague Island National Seashore is just south of Ocean City, offering 37 miles of beaches for crabbing, biking, paddling, and more. — Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026 Open paddling and beach use are available for the duration of the event. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026 In response, the paddlers near the front of the canoe momentarily pause their paddling and squeal as the sea lion splashes them. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 Escape to Shawnee National Forest for a serene cabin weekend of hiking, paddling, and wineries. — Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 15 May 2026
Verb
Others have packed it on paddling excursions, long hikes, bike rides, and motorcycle road trips. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 She was pictured paddling in a kayak and playing beach volleyball with her fiancé Danny Fujikawa and their daughter Rani. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 27 June 2026 Throughout the afternoon, coaches offered free lessons on the sand to help people who were unfamiliar with paddling out learn what to expect, as well as one-on-one buddies for people in the water. — Gabrielle Gillette, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 Calm on the surface, paddling like hell underneath. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 Kayak Through Mangroves and Clear Water The Lower Keys are made for paddling. — Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 20 June 2026 The video shows the bear paddling across the lake, which is a popular place for fishing and kayaking. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 17 June 2026 Start your paddling journey at Cuyahoga Valley Adventures in Akron or explore the end of the river in Cleveland with Great Lakes Watersports. — Kelsey Yandura, Midwest Living, 17 June 2026 Today the designation of waterman or -woman is bestowed upon ocean connoisseurs who excel at paddling, free diving, surfing, and navigation, and big-wave athlete Kai Lenny is one of those carrying on this legacy. — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paddling
  1. whipping
  2. kayaking
  3. licking
  4. thrashing
  5. rowing
  6. lashing
  7. flogging
  8. pounding
Noun
  • They could also be seen transporting French fries, thick-cut onion rings, red and orange peppers, romaine and other produce, eggs, heavy whipping cream and whole milk.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
  • Reynolds cites the early-18th-century diary of William Byrd II, who read Homer in the morning and administered whippings to refractory slaves in the afternoon.
    — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • Michael Aiden Vargas, 18, of Crestview was kayaking in the Blackwater River when he was struck by lightning and fell from his kayak around noon on May 31, WKRG, Wiregrass Daily News and Fox 10 TV reported, citing the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
  • Like going to Tahoe and kayaking in the two person kayak is like, that's like part of it.
    — Outside Online, Outside Online, 30 July 2025
Definition of kayaking
Verb
  • Signs paws have already been burned include limping, refusing to walk, licking or chewing feet, darker or damaged pads and visible blisters or redness.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
  • But the Carolinas have their own ways of making barbecue finger-licking.
    — Amethyst Ganaway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
Definition of licking
Noun
  • The Blågult had started so well, mind you, with a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Jonathan David had a hat trick in last Thursday’s 6-0 thrashing of Qatar.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of thrashing
Verb
  • The transmission is actually connected to the engine, which means that rowing through the gears is real and not simulated unlike with another of this week’s big debuts.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 July 2026
  • Pfendler arrived at Honolulu Harbor aboard her 21-foot boat, Lily, after rowing alone for just under 44 days.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of rowing
Verb
  • Back at the dilapidated family home, Edgar grows even surlier, lashing into gentle-natured Joe for being an under-achiever compared to his brother and causing Thya to become apprehensive about Ed’s proximity to sharp objects.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • Unfortunately, this can lead to some individuals lashing out in response to their own insecurities, hate and low bar of aptitude, which is confirmed by the tenor of the attacks.
    — Jallicia Jolly, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of lashing
Noun
  • In October 2008, Greenspan underwent an hourslong public flogging on Capitol Hill from lawmakers who once hung on every word the former Fed chairman had to say.
    — Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • Aikens has a modest staff, including a host and a house dom, a professional dominant who performs demonstrations such as flogging and wax play for the 30-and-over crowd.
    — Victoria M. Walker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 May 2026
Definition of flogging
Verb
  • America is better when Paul Skenes is embarrassing hitters with Livvy in the stands pounding Miller Lites.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The heart-pounding encounter ended with the calf reunited with its mother, dramatic photos on a cellphone — and the couple continuing on to catch brook trout.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of pounding

Browse Nearby Words

paddles
paddling
padre
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Cite this Entry

“Paddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paddling. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on paddling

Nglish: Translation of paddling for Spanish Speakers

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