1
as in cruising
to travel on water in a vessel
I can't sail when there's any breeze at all because I get seasick easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
sailed through the latest assignment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in floating
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
a leaf sailed by, carried by the breeze
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sailing
Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Other times, perhaps not knowing his own strength, the ball would go sailing.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
Valid for British Isles Explorer itineraries sailing in 2026 or 2027, or for another itinerary and extension of equal or lesser value—within the same stateroom category or lower—during the same period, if the itinerary and extension offered is not available.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Conversely, the number of vessels sailing around the Cape of Good Hope rose 4 percent to 326 in the two-week period ended March 22, up from 314 in the previous period.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sailing
Verb
The Michigan couple, both US nationals, have been sailing together for more than a decade, documenting their life at sea across social media.
—Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Other times, perhaps not knowing his own strength, the ball would go sailing.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
Valid for British Isles Explorer itineraries sailing in 2026 or 2027, or for another itinerary and extension of equal or lesser value—within the same stateroom category or lower—during the same period, if the itinerary and extension offered is not available.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Conversely, the number of vessels sailing around the Cape of Good Hope rose 4 percent to 326 in the two-week period ended March 22, up from 314 in the previous period.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sailing
Adjective
-
This is surprising for something that is supposed to require less hovering, especially if the host is out of hearing range of the device's alerts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As for Mitan, the yacht will now spend seven to eight months cruising south towards Mexico, calling at multiple anchorages along the way.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The Gears were cruising when the league declared bankruptcy and evaporated the next November.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Zino leader is a dinosaur with long, flowing white hair.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The mesh upper will keep air flowing through your feet throughout the day, and the slip-resistant rubber outsole will be particularly helpful on slick cobblestone streets.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Documents from Department of Environmental Protection noted, and smelled, floating fuel visible beneath the tanks.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier in the day, Gunn took to social media to rebut an item from Deadline floating names that had allegedly tested for the role.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The boating forecast in South Florida on April 1, 2026.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Davide Veglia, 55, was killed Wednesday in a boating hit-and-run crash in the Meloy Channel of Biscayne Bay.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The trailer leans into the setting, too—offering a quick glimpse of Andy and Emily arriving by boat, gliding across the lake toward the villa’s grand facade.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness before gliding back to Earth.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The notation was curiously quaint, dots and curly tails swimming along like so many tadpoles.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The person swimming in the lane next to mine was doing the breaststroke and hit me with her leg, under the lane rope, on two consecutive laps.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
To maintain the immersive illusion, Iñárritu eschewed traditional hanging fabric.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sailing. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
