as in rower
a person who drives a boat forward by means of oars
"All oars ho!" the boatswain ordered
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oar
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
My father’s sleeves rolled up at the oars of the rowing boat.
—
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
Caroline Van Hemert,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oar
Noun
The tandem inflatable kayak comes with a hand pump and two 86-inch aluminum oars (which could easily cost you $50 on their own).
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Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
My father’s sleeves rolled up at the oars of the rowing boat.
—
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
Verb
For centuries, Vikings navigated these waters by sail and oar; today, ferries and charter boats offer comfortable, scenic access to the islands.
—
Caroline Van Hemert,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oar
Noun
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The club serves between 75-100 rowers of all ages throughout the season.
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The title was ripped from a speech by Irish rowers Gary and Paul O’Donovan, who claimed the country’s first-ever medals in the sport at the Rio 2016 Olympics and quickly became overnight sensations for their underdog accomplishment.
Verb
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Eventually, Paolasin's family was able to grab the attention of a kayaker, who paddled over to retrieve her.
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Cradled in her arms, the newborn suckles eagerly, its tiny paws paddling the air with every gulp.
Verb
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Santorini’s traditional kouloura vines are not trained upward like the vineyard rows many travelers know.
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That means more people than ever in Norway are suddenly rowing.
Verb
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Ride a bike, stretch in a sculpture garden, and kayak a bayou.
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The calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay make Cape Charles’s beaches especially great for little ones and adventurers looking to paddle board or kayak the open water.
Verb
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Mary Swander, a 75-year-old theater director and former state poet laureate, fondly remembers learning to canoe and swim outdoors while growing up near the water.
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Play golf, kayak or canoe the Sheboygan River, or luxuriate in the spa, which specializes in hydrotherapy.
Cite this Entry
“Oar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oar. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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