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

Few deep-sea species will cause an entire research vessel’s crew to rush into the control room to catch a glimpse—but the barreleye fish (Macropinna microstoma) is one of them. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026

This past week, activists associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla used three sailboats to confront the Sunaid X, a vessel that local unions identified as supplying the American military installation at Sigonella, Sicily. — Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Attacks on vessels in and around the Red Sea and Persian Gulf have sent insurance costs surging. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

Customs Air and Marine Operations agents also put on a show in Government Cut with a Blackhawk helicopter and two Customs boats chasing down agents in a mock smuggling vessel. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026