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
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 mix of challenging mountain bike trails, protected paddling waters, bayside picnic areas and (when available) overnight cabins makes this a versatile destination.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Sadly, they are sent doggy paddling home.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
Spring and fall strike a quieter note, while winter offers the calmest experience for hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 22 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
Think days spent swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and learning about Polynesian nature and culture.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
The rugged islands offer opportunities for backpacking, hiking, boating, paddling and diving.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 18 Jan. 2026
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
Add pro sports, craft beer, food halls, and mangrove paddling nearby, and Tampa shapes up as a dynamic weekend getaway.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
Pack food, grab a spot with bay views and spend a full day cycling, paddling and recovering without leaving the park for meals.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
LaMothe died of a heart attack last October while paddling his plane out from the shore of a lake in the Ontario bush, preparatory to flying out a party of four moose hunters.
—Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
The Russian River traces the valley with swim holes and paddling access points nearby.
—Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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 mix of challenging mountain bike trails, protected paddling waters, bayside picnic areas and (when available) overnight cabins makes this a versatile destination.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Sadly, they are sent doggy paddling home.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
Spring and fall strike a quieter note, while winter offers the calmest experience for hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 22 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
Think days spent swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and learning about Polynesian nature and culture.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
The rugged islands offer opportunities for backpacking, hiking, boating, paddling and diving.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Add pro sports, craft beer, food halls, and mangrove paddling nearby, and Tampa shapes up as a dynamic weekend getaway.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
Pack food, grab a spot with bay views and spend a full day cycling, paddling and recovering without leaving the park for meals.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
LaMothe died of a heart attack last October while paddling his plane out from the shore of a lake in the Ontario bush, preparatory to flying out a party of four moose hunters.
—Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
The Russian River traces the valley with swim holes and paddling access points nearby.
—Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paddling
Noun
-
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
-
In 1918, then-owner Philip Guichet invented the Grasshopper cocktail, incorporating white and green crème de menthe, white and dark crème de cacao, heavy whipping cream and brandy.—
Stephanie Gallman Jordan,
Southern Living,
6 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
-
The department shared photos of Ziggy, still wearing a bandage on his left hind leg, jumping up and licking Spring's face during a recent visit.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Seals off The San Diego Seals (6-8) are off this weekend and licking their wounds following a crushing 9-8 home loss to Buffalo on Saturday.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But because this is a derby, we’re supposed to believe this latest thrashing is a statement.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Carrington, who converted a program-record nine 3-pointers in a 90-73 thrashing at Washington on Saturday, was 4 of 8 behind the arc, and sophomore power forward Austin Rapp as 3 of 6.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In Bensaid's video, she can be seen rowing through murky, brown waters filled with debris.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
And she's competed in every Summer and Winter Games since, pivoting to cycling, cross-country skiing and biathlon after a back injury stopped her from rowing.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The president of a labor union representing Transportation Security Administration employees is lashing out at lawmakers, telling them not to leave Washington, DC, for Easter recess before passing a deal to pay its agents amid the ongoing partial government shutdown.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
How this showdown plays out will affect not only Anthropic’s booming business but also the way tech titans and other corporations work with an administration known for lashing out at resisters, said Alan Rozenshtein, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Law School.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cheating has been part of the Olympics since the ancient games, when violators were punished with fines, public flogging or lifetime bans.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Despite a pretty lively premiere week thanks to a public flogging from critics that seemed to pique audience interest, All’s Fair did have some tough competition during that interval as well.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That didn’t stop Uthmeier from chest-pounding across social-media platforms.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That is when Peralta started pounding the rookie inside.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paddling. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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