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
  • 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
  • In 1852, in America’s first intercollegiate sporting event, Harvard rowed past Yale to win the first Harvard-Yale Regatta.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 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
  • 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
  • In the same series of Sunday morning posts, the president also lashed out at Kristen Welker, the moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, for saying his endorsements of Republican candidates in primary elections this year had shown mixed results.
    — Jeff Mason, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of lashed
Verb
  • The team's official drumline, The Pack, pounded on illuminated drums during quarter breaks, while Skye, the team's sassy, blue-haired lioness mascot, jumped onto the T-shirt cannon to launch souvenir merchandise high into stadium seats.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Rodriguez pounded the strike zone, issuing his only walk in the sixth inning.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pounded
Verb
  • Cheese foam is a smooth and slightly salty whipped foam topping popular in boba drinks.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 1 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 whipped
Verb
  • 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
  • Snow crews had to leap into action early Wednesday at the Kansas City Downtown Airport – Wheeler Field after thunderstorms pelted the airport and covered it taxiways with several inches of hail.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of pelted
Verb
  • Apple was widely criticized in the late 2000s for not volunteering more information about Jobs’ health, especially as concerns about his gaunt appearance battered the company’s shares.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Analysts believe that the successor's profile could offer the bank re-rating potential, especially as the stock has been battered since the start of the year.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of battered
Verb
  • While outlining the details of Clancy's suicide attempt, Reddington slapped a quarter on the table and addressed the prosecutors in what appeared to be a direct challenge to the state.
    — Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Over the years, the United States has slapped Iran with countless sanctions targeting its banking system, shipping companies, oil industry and military.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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