as in rower
a person who drives a boat forward by means of oars
"All oars ho!" the boatswain ordered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 oar
Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
His eyes are turned toward the water, perhaps to his oar, or some unknown action.
—Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
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
At the end of each stroke, when the insect lifts these oars from the water, the fans snap shut.
—Verb
For centuries, Vikings navigated these waters by sail and oar; today, ferries and charter boats offer comfortable, scenic access to the islands.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for oar
Noun
-
The latter include Sebastian Bea, a former longtime BlackRock executive and Olympic rower, who is now President of a digital asset treasury called ReserveOne.—
-
The Boating Party, on the other hand, features an athletic rower in smart clothing, perched front and center.—
Verb
-
She's shown paddling down a river, walking through a beautiful forest landscape, and then crafts the oil by hand in a spacious cave.—
-
In the first mission, Kelce got to spend time helping her team paddle a boat across a beautiful Scottish loch.—
Verb
-
Our teams have to row out to collect them, then drop them in a grave corresponding to each player.—
-
Moran rowed crew all four years at the prestigious school, while Schlossberg studied history.—
Verb
-
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.—
-
Whether your teen wants to chill by the pool, join a dance party, or kayak through a glacier bay, cruises offer a safe and exciting environment where everyone can enjoy the journey in their own way.—
Verb
-
This is not an activity for beginners, the faint of heart, or the day-tripper, but kayaking or canoeing the Savonoski Loop is sure to be a memorable adventure.—
-
Plunge into the pristine waters for snorkeling, kayaking, outrigger canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding.—
Cite this Entry
“Oar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oar. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
