1
as in emblem
a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark
that ensign of tutorial authority, the hickory stick
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2
as in flag
a piece of cloth with a special design that is used as an emblem or for signaling
fittingly, the organization promoting the welfare of marine life features a dolphin on its ensign
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ensign
Othello star Jake Gyllenhaal’s backstage home-away-from-home in Broadway’s Barrymore theater is an extension of the Shakespearean world he’s been steeped in while developing his version of Iago, the duplicitous ensign to the titular Venetian army general played by Denzel Washington.
—
Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2025
Usually the obscure one is Othello’s ensign, Iago.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
The Shakespearian plot revolves around Othello as a military commander who is convinced that his wife has been unfaithful by his ensign, Iago.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
Four sailors who put the tracking devices aboard the boats were also named in the indictment, as was a sergeant and an ensign, or low-ranking officer.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ensign
Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2025
Usually the obscure one is Othello’s ensign, Iago.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
The Shakespearian plot revolves around Othello as a military commander who is convinced that his wife has been unfaithful by his ensign, Iago.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
Four sailors who put the tracking devices aboard the boats were also named in the indictment, as was a sergeant and an ensign, or low-ranking officer.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ensign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensign
Noun
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To take the lower front air intakes, which were angled toward the centerline of the car—toward the Tri Star emblem—and invert them to toward the tires was a dreadful choice.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
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The canine was captured jumping away in shock at the mere sight of a decorative corpse-bride statue, a popular Halloween emblem, in a short clip later shared to TikTok by their owner under @liv_hinkley.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As the sun rose, they could be seen stationed in an unidentified area, with Israeli flags hoisted up from military vehicles.—
Yamiche Alcindor,
NBC news,
10 Oct. 2025
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But his opening 45 minutes will have been a frustrating experience, with the assistant referee’s flag killing any momentum Mane was trying to gain.—
Rob Tanner,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In time, the apple’s proliferation on American soil and the ubiquity of apple pie on American menus would help turn the dessert into a patriotic symbol.—
Victoria Flexner,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
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For now, Figure 03 remains a striking symbol of progress and a reminder that the leap from lab to living room is not quite complete.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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At a meeting last month, after hearing from residents, city commissioners set aside the flag-raising idea and instead agreed to display a more neutral banner honoring all victims of the war, to light up City Hall and to hold an interfaith vigil.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
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Award-winning Nigerian actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington (The Wedding Party) will lead the cast as the voice of Malika and serves as Executive Producer, alongside Impact X Studios’ Erica Motley and Okupe via his YouNeek Studios banner.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Visitors saw an auto-playing trailer with an action-movie score—helicopter, jets, eagle, salute, thumbs-up, then a new White House logo in which said house was mostly black.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
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The pair is finished with a gold-tone D&G logo plaque at the heel for an instantly recognizable look.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ensign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensign. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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