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
Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 12 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
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
The Arcadia Valley is blessed with a crystal-clear river perfect for paddling, some of the Show-Me State’s best parks, and Ironton, a cute small town that’s the perfect gateway to all the fun.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 12 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
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
-
Michael’s tendency to speak up earned him frequent whippings with his father’s belt.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
Maximilien, a French national, allegedly uploaded a clip of himself licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine before putting it back in the dispenser.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There’s Cassie licking a melting ice cream cone as the ice cream drips down her bare chest.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Arsenal enters the match as the favorite, but Sporting has been resilient in the Champions League, rebounding from a 3-0 loss to tournament darlings Bodo/Glimt with a 5-0 thrashing in Lisbon.—
Pueng Vongs,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
Not long after, the White House began lashing out at Democrats and the media over the shooting.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
On his last day before he’s scheduled to ride off on his motorcycle for a three-month sabbatical that’s only barely disguising his suicidal ideation, Robby spends his final shift lashing out at his co-workers.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
None of that requires punishing him with a public flogging.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In September 1850, Congress banned flogging on all US ships.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
From tracking down a missing student in the wilderness of British Columbia to extracting a murder confession from a surfer in Tofino, Shade and Angie prove life on the West Coast is packed with heart-pounding thrills.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But Ragans shook off the damage and kept pounding the strike zone.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paddling. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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