1
as in vessels
a small buoyant structure for travel on water
paddling the little boat across the lake is great exercise, but tiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ships
a large craft for travel by water
you'll have to take a passenger boat to get to the island
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in sails
to travel on water in a vessel
boated to the picnic site on an island in the bay
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 boats
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
The boats will be returning to McCovey Cove, the garlic is being freshly chopped for the fries, and the gorgeous, unmistakable mix of grass, dirt, brick, wind and water at Oracle Park is nearly ready to welcome us back for another season of Giants baseball.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
The discovery came after a search that included helicopters, boats, dive teams and motorcycle units, as authorities pursued multiple lines of investigation, including the possibility that Gracey may have drowned.
—Jasmine Baehr , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
For divers who want to bear witness to the major marine conservation area’s untamed natural beauty, liveaboard boats are the best way to log multiple dives and explore the area fully with local guides.
—Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
At the show, people with extended waterborne vacations in mind can inspect boats available to charter.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2026
Thursday morning, Spanish authorities turned their search efforts to the sea, sending out boats, divers and drones.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Analysts say Iran still has room to escalate further, through drones that are difficult to intercept, fast and agile patrol boats, and cyberattacks.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Many then made their way to Europe via small boats.
—Sam McNeil, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Kennebunkport, Maine Lobster boats bob in the waves and beachcombers search for shells.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
The lock and dam complex is part of a waterway system that allows boats to move from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
The boats will be returning to McCovey Cove, the garlic is being freshly chopped for the fries, and the gorgeous, unmistakable mix of grass, dirt, brick, wind and water at Oracle Park is nearly ready to welcome us back for another season of Giants baseball.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
The discovery came after a search that included helicopters, boats, dive teams and motorcycle units, as authorities pursued multiple lines of investigation, including the possibility that Gracey may have drowned.
—Jasmine Baehr , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
For divers who want to bear witness to the major marine conservation area’s untamed natural beauty, liveaboard boats are the best way to log multiple dives and explore the area fully with local guides.
—Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
At the show, people with extended waterborne vacations in mind can inspect boats available to charter.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2026
Thursday morning, Spanish authorities turned their search efforts to the sea, sending out boats, divers and drones.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Analysts say Iran still has room to escalate further, through drones that are difficult to intercept, fast and agile patrol boats, and cyberattacks.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Many then made their way to Europe via small boats.
—Sam McNeil, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
Shrimp boats bob in the harbor, American flags flutter from pastel porches and old oak trees draped in Spanish moss offer cool shade.
—Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Kennebunkport, Maine Lobster boats bob in the waves and beachcombers search for shells.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boats
Noun
-
However, Iran’s UN Mission said in a post on X that ‘non-hostile vessels, including those belonging to or associated with other states’ may obtain ‘safe passage’ through the Strait of Hormuz via coordination with Tehran.—
Joseph Wilkins,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The exercise included multi-wave saturation attacks on enemy vessels attempting to evade detection by using nearby islands and reefs as cover.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While Iran and Oman both have territory in the strait, its narrow shipping channels are viewed as international waters through which all ships can travel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The social media post appears to establish a protocol that has emerged in recent days, with some ships from China, India and Pakistan able to pass through the waterway as Iran flexes control over it.—
Lee Ying Shan,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In response, Iran has nearly halted traffic through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil typically sails from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Iran’s actions have effectively stopped cargo traffic through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil typically sails.—
Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Four Seasons 1 officially joins the small but growing world of residential yachts that include the three Ritz-Carlton vessels—Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara—that have been under way for at least a year, and the field will soon include offerings from Aman and Orient Express.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Robinhood, which was founded on the idea of democratizing access to investing, has always played on the popular resentment of wealthy investor-insider types who might be partying on yachts with Tenev today.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran has effectively halted trade traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, the maritime trade route that ferries roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The whippet-fast lift system got even more efficient this season with the introduction of the Explorer Gondola, the world’s speediest 10-person gondola that ferries skiers from base to peak on heated seats.—
Amy Tara Koch,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The dwelling is technically two structures, which are connected by a rope bridge, and guests making their way down to the water can enjoy complimentary access to canoes and kayaks.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Beside the dock lay dozens of canoes owned by the East Bay Regional Park District, which proponents of the new park hope will be utilized more when construction is completed.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Daily activities include Western riding lessons (geared toward beginning and intermediate riders), animal and horse science classes, swimming, rock climbing, archery, arts & crafts and outdoor cooking.—
Jessie Dax-Setkus,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The inside of the church reflects the arts and crafts movement that started in the mid-1800s.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Theron races through the forest and rafts through the rapids while Egerton follows her into caves and down the side of a cliff.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The volunteer group's flights centered on spotting Cuban refugees fleeing their homeland and attempting to come to the United States, often in makeshift boats or rafts.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boats. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
