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
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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
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Recent Examples of boats
Will Freeman,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
The fire also destroyed two trucks and two boats, according to the fundraiser.
—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
The competing corridors have left shippers confused, forcing vessels to navigate threats from sea mines, aerial drones and IRGC patrol boats.
—
Xiaoqian Lin,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
First responders, law enforcement and volunteers used boats, divers, sonar, helicopters, drones, UTVs/ATVs, and K9 and cadaver dogs to aid in the search.
—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
Travel at a safe speed and keep a lookout for other boats, swimmers, and hazards.
—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Conventional pilot boats require massive, roaring diesel engines to smash through heavy coastal chop.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 June 2026
The duck boats have been used several times in recent years to parade the region's numerous championship teams through Boston, including the New England Patriots six times, the Boston Red Sox four times, the Boston Celtics twice, and the Boston Bruins in 2011.
—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 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
On June 6th, a fishing vessel in Manta burst into flames; hours later, more than thirty other boats had caught fire.
—
Will Freeman,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
The fire also destroyed two trucks and two boats, according to the fundraiser.
—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
The competing corridors have left shippers confused, forcing vessels to navigate threats from sea mines, aerial drones and IRGC patrol boats.
—
Xiaoqian Lin,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
First responders, law enforcement and volunteers used boats, divers, sonar, helicopters, drones, UTVs/ATVs, and K9 and cadaver dogs to aid in the search.
—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
Travel at a safe speed and keep a lookout for other boats, swimmers, and hazards.
—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Conventional pilot boats require massive, roaring diesel engines to smash through heavy coastal chop.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 June 2026
The duck boats have been used several times in recent years to parade the region's numerous championship teams through Boston, including the New England Patriots six times, the Boston Red Sox four times, the Boston Celtics twice, and the Boston Bruins in 2011.
—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 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
-
In his speech, Kim said the Choe Hyon will be the first ship of a modern North Korean fleet, with even bigger vessels coming.
-
Commercial vessels and oil tankers preparing to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical strategic waterways for global trade flows, maintain their wait in the Gulf of Oman, on June 17, 2026.
Noun
-
The search spanned roughly 2,400 square miles and involved officials from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force who used three surface ships and 12 aircraft, according to the military.
-
On July 4, the ships will participate in what organizers say will be the largest-ever flotilla of international tall ships and military vessels in New York Harbor.
Verb
-
Star of the Seas still sails out of Port Canaveral, housing guests on what is tied for the title of world’s largest cruise ship.
-
As the ship sails the Antarctic Peninsula, passengers go on excursions, such as taking a Zodiac or kayaking, to view wildlife and immerse themselves in nature.
Noun
-
Kelce would take the women on dates to concerts, on yachts and on private jets.
-
Standing near yachts, Mercedes Moné boasts about winning the Owen Hart Cup for the second consecutive year.
Verb
-
The blockage of the strait, which normally ferries 20% of the world's oil, sent global energy prices soaring.
-
Iran has effectively halted trade traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, the maritime trade route that ferries roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum.
Noun
-
Anyone who prefers a slower pace will enjoy renting a pontoon boat, kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards.
-
Little Outlaw and Brewers Canoers are two of the many outfitters located in Valentine, renting canoes, kayaks, tubes, and stock tanks (a Nebraska tradition).
Noun
-
Gnome Apothecary crafts small-batch herbal medicines in the Hudson Valley that honor the wisdom of plants, support everyday wellness, and deepen the relationship between people and the natural world.
-
Explore unique crafts, goods and gifts from over 15 local vendors.
Noun
-
The city and the official float website offers some tips, including that people shouldn’t tie their rafts or tubes together, go alone, float under the influence or use rope swings.
-
Compared with tilted plastic rafts used in warmer climates, this design attaches flexible solar panels directly to thick, waterproof foam sheets, reducing wind exposure.
Cite this Entry
“Boats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boats. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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