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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Recent Examples of paddling
Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Prepare to be dazzled by the destination's stunningly clear waters, which are great for boating, swimming, or paddling; alternatively, post up by one of the pristine beaches.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 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
Folsom Lake was near capacity heading into peak paddling season, and was at 94% of capacity Friday morning, according to the California Department of Water Resources.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
The route requires paddling several lakes and crossing multiple portages, sometimes carrying your boat as far as 2 miles across difficult terrain.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026
Goose Creek State Park is one of the best places to see the area’s ecosystems, including the cypress swamp, accessible on a boardwalk trail or by paddling through.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026
That’s why Mayor Karen Bass is paddling furiously, trying to keep her political career afloat.
—Steve Lopez
columnist
follow, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Virginia Aquarium shared another image of Diamond, shortly afterward, paddling out into the sea.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
The end result is alligators in yards, under cars, stuck in drainage pipes, and paddling around backyard pools like the one belonging to 73-year-old Leipold, a retired journalist.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
Later phases are expected to add trails, basic facilities, camping areas, and paddling access.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 28 May 2026
The camera pulls in tight on that painting in the lobby that seems to depict Sarah Warren and Richard’s children departing the island in the boat, as seen in episode six, but with one child paddling helplessly in the water.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Noun
In these destinations, boating, fishing, and paddling are top priorities—and there’s almost always a strong sense of community and a collection of bait shops, diners, ice cream stands, and marinas.
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Prepare to be dazzled by the destination's stunningly clear waters, which are great for boating, swimming, or paddling; alternatively, post up by one of the pristine beaches.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 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
Folsom Lake was near capacity heading into peak paddling season, and was at 94% of capacity Friday morning, according to the California Department of Water Resources.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Verb
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
The route requires paddling several lakes and crossing multiple portages, sometimes carrying your boat as far as 2 miles across difficult terrain.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026
Goose Creek State Park is one of the best places to see the area’s ecosystems, including the cypress swamp, accessible on a boardwalk trail or by paddling through.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026
That’s why Mayor Karen Bass is paddling furiously, trying to keep her political career afloat.
—Steve Lopez
columnist
follow, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Virginia Aquarium shared another image of Diamond, shortly afterward, paddling out into the sea.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
The end result is alligators in yards, under cars, stuck in drainage pipes, and paddling around backyard pools like the one belonging to 73-year-old Leipold, a retired journalist.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
Later phases are expected to add trails, basic facilities, camping areas, and paddling access.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 28 May 2026
The camera pulls in tight on that painting in the lobby that seems to depict Sarah Warren and Richard’s children departing the island in the boat, as seen in episode six, but with one child paddling helplessly in the water.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paddling
Noun
-
Is this over baking or under-whipping?—
Emily Elias,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
-
There was physical violence as well — whippings, beatings, even bricks thrown.—
Pamela Chelin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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
Verb
-
That licking instinct may have led Jacobs’s elk to an area known as Flag Swamp, a one-acre wetland filled with blue flag irises and shrubby willow trees.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Finally, monitor pets for behavioral changes, as pets may experience pain, licking or chewing at a wound, loss of appetite and lethargy.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Thursday’s 118-91 thrashing, though, invited more than a Game 7.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
The Fever, perhaps more terribly potent with each passing day, is a two-hour spiral into the thrashing, slowly awakening soul of a Good Middle-Class Liberal.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
According to Emilia, Esteban turned up drunk and high and started rowing vociferously with other spectators.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
In June 2024, friends Brendan Cusick, Scott Forman, Peter Durso, and Patrick Morrissey came together as team Human Powered Potential, launching from Monterey, California, and rowing west toward Hawaii on the World’s Toughest Row.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lately, though, the president has upset religious conservatives by posting a Christ-like image of himself online as well as lashing out at Pope Leo and the Vatican.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Iran’s lashing out at Israel for the sake of Hezbollah carries major risks.—
Sam Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
None of that requires punishing him with a public flogging.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the worker said yes, there followed a cacophony of voices, radios, and pounding boots as police stormed the property.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
One of my favorite side dishes starts by rehydrating them, then pounding them in a mortar and pestle to release all that concentrated flavor.—
Julie Lin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paddling. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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