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
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The only noise is the dip-dip of oars and the ethereal screech of horseshoe bats.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
Caroline Van Hemert, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Mute swans do put on bursts of speed by oaring with their huge webbed feet.
—National Geographic, 19 Oct. 2016
See All Example Sentences for oar
Noun
Now as sailors stepped out into the surf, a great crowd tried to take oars off the first sloop.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The only noise is the dip-dip of oars and the ethereal screech of horseshoe bats.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 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
Mute swans do put on bursts of speed by oaring with their huge webbed feet.
—National Geographic, 19 Oct. 2016
See All Example Sentences for oar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oar
Noun
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Brittin is also a former Olympic rower, having represented Great Britain in 1988.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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Athletes seeking their new professional passion upon retirement should be looking out for a good energy match, the champion rower advises.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some surfers paddled out that day, but the surf lineup had substantially fewer people than usual.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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In Bensaid's video, she can be seen rowing through murky, brown waters filled with debris.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
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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
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To take your trip beyond the town limits, kayak the river with a rental from Hudson Paddles or head to the Empire State Trail, which has an entry point just blocks from downtown.—
Sarah Cahalan,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
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At 16, the Hoopa Valley tribal member was about to kayak more than 300 miles down the Klamath River from its headwaters in southern Oregon.—
The Editors,
Outside,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Try canoeing the Colorado River, ATV riding on the Imperial Sand Dunes, or sample fresh produce because Yuma delights with plentiful agritourism, too.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
4 Jan. 2026
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My childhood was spent in the Blue Ridge Mountains, camping in the Peaks of Otter, and canoeing down the James River.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oar. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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