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
The spot is a popular paddling area each spring as the spider lilies bloom in May and early June. — John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026 Where to Play Lake Winnipesaukee has a reputation for swimming, boating, paddling, and other water activities. — Annie Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026 Guadalupe River State Park entices visitors with its cool waters for tubing, paddling, and swimming and family-friendly campgrounds. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026 Several private schools in Ohio and Virginia permit paddling as discipline even though those states outlaw corporal punishment in public schools. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 16 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 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
Firefighters said in a Facebook post that the sweet pup was located using a drone, which found the pooch paddling by himself in San Francisco Bay. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 This makes the Exumas a must-visit for snorkeling, diving, fishing, beach-hopping—and paddling with those famous swimming pigs. — Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026 Create your own camp schedule with activities including paddling and swimming around the lake, fishing, hiking, croquet, golf, pickleball, tennis, or just lounging at the kid-friendly pool complete with a snack shack. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026 Other groups are paddling to pick-up points for evacuation while some outfitters are rescuing paddlers with towboats. — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026 This finding proved that, at least in robotics, a foot-paddling maneuver is completely unnecessary for liftoff. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026 There’s plenty to do here, including paddling the Crystal River or browsing art galleries. — Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 9 July 2026 Today, the lesson will be more about handling the board, paddling and reading the ocean. — Heather Hiett, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 Cradled in her arms, the newborn suckles eagerly, its tiny paws paddling the air with every gulp. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paddling
  1. whipping
  2. kayaking
  3. licking
  4. thrashing
  5. rowing
  6. lashing
  7. flogging
  8. pounding
Noun
  • Self-mortifying pamagdarame rituals, including whipping and crucifixion, likewise have roots in medieval Christian tradition.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026
  • 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
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
  • Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, admitted to licking the straw and returning it to the vending machine while recording the act for his online followers.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • That means no tasting cookie dough made with raw eggs, no licking brownie batter off the beaters, and no homemade Caesar dressing made with uncooked yolks.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 23 July 2026
Definition of licking
Noun
  • In two games since the league returned from a World Cup break, Portland has won both, including a 5-1 thrashing of rival Seattle Sounders.
    — Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The Blågult had started so well, mind you, with a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Definition of thrashing
Verb
  • The basic premise—people rowing together to a rhythm—does have a historical precedent.
    — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Most of the time, however, would be spent rowing on one of the largest authentic ancient ships in the world, which was used specifically for filming the movie.
    — Alice Politi, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026
Definition of rowing
Verb
  • Koivun launched himself into the lead at TPC Twin Cities by lashing a 305-yard approach shot to 12 feet on the par-5 12th hole.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 28 July 2026
  • But during his visit, the fifth in line to the British throne incited more controversy by lashing out publicly after a High Court judge delivered a devastating ruling in his lawsuit against the Daily Mail.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 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
  • The series adaptation will blend futuristic science with mystical lore, delivering on the heart-pounding suspense and international intrigue that has made the Langdon stories a global phenomenon.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026
  • In their only debate and across the campaign trail, Elliott has been pounding away that the rich pay a smaller percentage of their overall income in taxes than the working poor.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 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 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on paddling

Nglish: Translation of paddling for Spanish Speakers

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