as in whipping
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as in licking
to strike repeatedly
back in those times it was acceptable for teachers to paddle misbehaving students
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paddling
Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
Former Boundary Waters guide John Kerschbaum traded canoe paddling for gondola cruising in 2000 (after shipping an authentic vessel from Venice to Minnesota), and his business has thrived ever since.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 2 Apr. 2026
This camp is a great introduction to the sport for those interested in learning the basics of water safety, kayaking, outrigger paddling and stand-up paddling.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Unlike some sun shirts that become baggy in the water, the Wild Cast maintained a streamlined feel that moved naturally while swimming or paddling.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
The mangrove environment creates a distinctive paddling experience.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Sadly, they are sent doggy paddling home.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
With its scenic bluffs alongside a 360-acre lake and ample opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, swimming and paddling, Devil's Lake remains a favorite destination for Wisconsinites – and visitors to the state.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Think days spent swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and learning about Polynesian nature and culture.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
As PaddleSC explained, paddling to these lilies isn't difficult, but is rated as a moderately strenuous task.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
Standing with his 13-year-old son, Liam, in the plaza at the foot of the Imperial Beach Pier on a clear Wednesday morning, Henry bowed his head to pray before paddling out.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Local eateries like the waterfront Pier 290 and in-town Oakfire Pizza offer tasty respites after paddling the lake; kayaks and SUP are equally popular these days.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Midwest Living, 31 Mar. 2026
That 37% figure is encouraging for active families who want to build trips around hiking, cycling, or paddling rather than poolside lounging.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Sometimes innovation shows up in the most unexpected forms — in this case, a goldfish behind the wheel of a tiny car, paddling his way into the history books one fin stroke at a time.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
The raglan sleeve construction eliminates seams across the shoulders, allowing for a full range of motion while paddling.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
When attempting an outing before water levels come back up again, Cannon Spring and Tobacco Patch Spring can be accessed by putting in at Paynes Landing (Cypress Bayou Boat Ramp) in Fort McCoy and paddling upstream, then floating back down.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
Water is a major draw here, with four major lakes and dozens of smaller lakes, all ideal for paddling, fishing, swimming, and, come dusk, watching for the northern lights.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
Former Boundary Waters guide John Kerschbaum traded canoe paddling for gondola cruising in 2000 (after shipping an authentic vessel from Venice to Minnesota), and his business has thrived ever since.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 2 Apr. 2026
This camp is a great introduction to the sport for those interested in learning the basics of water safety, kayaking, outrigger paddling and stand-up paddling.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Unlike some sun shirts that become baggy in the water, the Wild Cast maintained a streamlined feel that moved naturally while swimming or paddling.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
The mangrove environment creates a distinctive paddling experience.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Sadly, they are sent doggy paddling home.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
With its scenic bluffs alongside a 360-acre lake and ample opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, swimming and paddling, Devil's Lake remains a favorite destination for Wisconsinites – and visitors to the state.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Think days spent swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and learning about Polynesian nature and culture.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Peddling crafts and paddling canoes—sometimes even the tribal council wants to relax into that image.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
As PaddleSC explained, paddling to these lilies isn't difficult, but is rated as a moderately strenuous task.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
Standing with his 13-year-old son, Liam, in the plaza at the foot of the Imperial Beach Pier on a clear Wednesday morning, Henry bowed his head to pray before paddling out.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Local eateries like the waterfront Pier 290 and in-town Oakfire Pizza offer tasty respites after paddling the lake; kayaks and SUP are equally popular these days.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Midwest Living, 31 Mar. 2026
That 37% figure is encouraging for active families who want to build trips around hiking, cycling, or paddling rather than poolside lounging.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Sometimes innovation shows up in the most unexpected forms — in this case, a goldfish behind the wheel of a tiny car, paddling his way into the history books one fin stroke at a time.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
The raglan sleeve construction eliminates seams across the shoulders, allowing for a full range of motion while paddling.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
When attempting an outing before water levels come back up again, Cannon Spring and Tobacco Patch Spring can be accessed by putting in at Paynes Landing (Cypress Bayou Boat Ramp) in Fort McCoy and paddling upstream, then floating back down.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paddling
Noun
-
The hair-whipping, chest-thumping church founder uprooted her polarizing sect from Manchester, England, to Manhattan before fleeing farther still into the countryside.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
In 1918, then-owner Philip Guichet invented the Grasshopper cocktail, incorporating white and green crème de menthe, white and dark crème de cacao, heavy whipping cream and brandy.—
Stephanie Gallman Jordan,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
Both have walked away from battles licking their wounds.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Five caribou stood licking at the stain.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His only Champions League goal arrived in January’s 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag, and his only assists in the competition came in similarly comfortable wins over Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Wild video captured the moment a young fisherman plunged into pounding Southern California surf to wrestle a thrashing shark and free it from his fishing line.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Until Chicago, the state’s economic engine, can begin rowing in the same policy directions as our representatives in Springfield, getting Illinois out of the economic mud will continue to be an uphill battle.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In Bensaid's video, she can be seen rowing through murky, brown waters filled with debris.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Things are not going well at the moment, so the president is lashing out.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
-
After lashing out at Morgan for suggesting that Lucia was a suspect, Karadec shows up at Morgan’s front door to apologize, leading to a tearful heart-to-heart between the partners.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cheating has been part of the Olympics since the ancient games, when violators were punished with fines, public flogging or lifetime bans.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Despite a pretty lively premiere week thanks to a public flogging from critics that seemed to pique audience interest, All’s Fair did have some tough competition during that interval as well.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tornado sirens, cell phone alerts, high winds and pounding rain woke up Michigan residents as severe weather pushed through the state overnight Tuesday.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Visitors can enjoy heart-pounding adventures like zip lining through the forest canopy, rock climbing on the gorge’s steep cliffs, and whitewater rafting on the New River’s epic Class I to V rapids.—
Jordan Charbonneau,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paddling. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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