Synonyms of vessel

vessel

noun

ˈve-səl 

1

as in ship

a large craft for travel by water

a new ocean liner that claims to be the largest commercial vessel afloat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ship
• boat
• liner
• warship
• freighter
• steamship
• keel
• yacht
• schooner
• tanker
• barge
• steamer
• merchantman
• watercraft
• cruiser
• cutter
• containership
• lightship
• transport
• flagship
• ferryboat
• trader
• aircraft carrier
• corvette
• supertanker
• coaster
• collier
• merchant ship
• sailboat
• brig
• destroyer
• man-of-war
• ironclad
• brigantine
• bark
• caravel
• motor ship
• superliner
• icebreaker
• tramp
• ketch
• clipper
• argosy
• packet
• square-rigger
• junk
• windjammer
• tall ship
• xebec

2

as in boat

a small buoyant structure for travel on water

any vessel that is buoyant and steerable can be entered in the annual race down the river

Synonyms & Similar Words

• boat
• yacht
• canoe
• kayak
• watercraft
• craft
• schooner
• ferry
• taxi
• raft
• lifeboat
• barge
• cruiser
• sailboat
• cutter
• skiff
• dinghy
• pontoon
• bottom
• surfboat
• keel
• motorboat
• pinnace
• catamaran
• rowboat
• catboat
• ketch
• shallop
• powerboat
• flatboat
• shell
• dhow
• scow
• tugboat
• towboat
• outrigger
• outboard
• bateau
• tender
• longboat
• sampan
• inboard
• tug
• lighter
• riverboat
• pirogue
• scull
• houseboat
• coracle
• whaleboat
• yawl
• paddleboat
• wherry
• auxiliary
• umiak
• dory
• ferryboat
• whaler
• johnboat
• punt
• trawler
• keelboat
• workboat
• gig
• dugout
• tub
• curragh
• dink
• lugger
• launch
• pram
• gondola
• rowing boat
• jolly boat
• banker
• water taxi
• narrow boat
• hovercraft
• seiner
• piragua
• bumboat
• shrimper
• cockleshell
• hoy
• dragger
• torpedo boat
• hooker
• airboat
• hydroplane
• PT boat
• hydrofoil
• scalloper
• caïque
• gillnetter
• garvey
• coble
• assault boat
• air-cushion vehicle

3

as in bowl

a usually circular utensil for holding something (as food)

uses a large copper vessel for beating egg whites

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bowl
• dish
• plate
• tray
• cup
• saucer
• server
• platter
• casserole
• waiter
• salver
• charger

4

as in container

something into which a liquid or smaller objects can be put for storage or transportation

any watertight vessel can be used for mixing the paints

Synonyms & Similar Words

• container
• receptacle
• holder
• bag
• bin
• bottle
• box
• carrier
• tub
• basket
• cartridge
• pocket
• bowl
• crate
• sack
• trunk
• casket
• case
• jug
• locker
• basin
• carton
• pitcher
• kettle
• bucket
• pot
• jar
• cooler
• can
• keg
• pack
• vat
• pail
• kit
• hamper
• caddy
• warmer
• handbasket

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vessel

The Panama Canal is preparing for a sustained reduction in vessel traffic as worsening El Niño conditions squeeze the water supply needed to operate the trade conduit. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Shuttle vessels transport crude through Hormuz and then load it onto tankers waiting outside the strait, which allows these ships to avoid the risk of Iranian attack while sailing into the Gulf. — Spencer Kimball,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Officers with the department’s Marine Unit responded to the vessel in distress underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The Costa Cruises vessel was reportedly sailing from Naples to Sicily when the brawl erupted at sea. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026