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
Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
In the interim, the Department of Water Resources is providing portage services for boats navigating the waterways.
—Reeti Malhotra
june 5, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
Things To Do Go To Bayfront Park Take a morning bike ride or stroll along Bayfront Park, which juts out towards the water and borders a marina of yachts and power boats.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Shipowners recently told Bloomberg that Iranian fast boats approached a group of vessels transiting through the strait, but turned away after helicopters suddenly appeared.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 2026
From the train windows, expect to spot the aquamarine waves of Ligurian Sea crashing against the stony coast, candy-colored houses huddled together on the hillsides, tiny wooden boats gliding through village harbors, and flecks of golden-sand beaches.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026
The trade group, which represents companies that make boats, marine engines, boating equipment and accessories, said its conversations with boaters indicate that most still plan to head out on the water this year, but in some cases, gas prices are curtailing their plans.
—ABC News, 5 June 2026
The two South American sides served up a great game in front of a manic crowd which, as well as locals, contained thousands of Argentinians who had been brought over on boats just for the occasion.
—Will Jeanes, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Salmon is often flash frozen on fishing boats to retain its quality.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 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
His administration has killed more than 200 people on board various boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, then posted memes celebrating the strikes.
—Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
In the interim, the Department of Water Resources is providing portage services for boats navigating the waterways.
—Reeti Malhotra
june 5, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
Things To Do Go To Bayfront Park Take a morning bike ride or stroll along Bayfront Park, which juts out towards the water and borders a marina of yachts and power boats.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Shipowners recently told Bloomberg that Iranian fast boats approached a group of vessels transiting through the strait, but turned away after helicopters suddenly appeared.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 2026
From the train windows, expect to spot the aquamarine waves of Ligurian Sea crashing against the stony coast, candy-colored houses huddled together on the hillsides, tiny wooden boats gliding through village harbors, and flecks of golden-sand beaches.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026
The trade group, which represents companies that make boats, marine engines, boating equipment and accessories, said its conversations with boaters indicate that most still plan to head out on the water this year, but in some cases, gas prices are curtailing their plans.
—ABC News, 5 June 2026
The two South American sides served up a great game in front of a manic crowd which, as well as locals, contained thousands of Argentinians who had been brought over on boats just for the occasion.
—Will Jeanes, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Salmon is often flash frozen on fishing boats to retain its quality.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 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
-
According to Navy records, the submarine sank two Japanese cargo vessels near Matsuwa Island before meeting with USS Barb on May 31 to coordinate patrol areas.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
-
One hundred cargo-carrying vessels typically move through the waterway daily, according to shipping-data provider Lloyd’s List.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Over the last ten years, aerospace and defense manufacturers have used the EBAM process to supply structural titanium and specialized alloy components for commercial aircraft, naval ships, and defense systems.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
The Navy remained consistent with its promise to deliver a total of 122 manned ships and 63 unmanned platforms over the course of five years.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
My itinerary with Victory – which also sails along the East Coast and in the Canadian Maritimes – lasted nine nights from Chicago to Toronto.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Before the quartet of late November and December holiday sailings begins, the ship sails an almost identical route along the Seine between March and November.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Guests book by cabin rather than chartering the entire vessel, while still experiencing the intimacy and flexibility typically associated with smaller private yachts.—
Rachel Ingram,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Boats and yachts greater than 30 feet can stay in a marina or tie off in a canal.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The blockage of the strait, which normally ferries 20% of the world's oil, sent global energy prices soaring.—
Kevin Breuninger,Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
For water sport enthusiasts, Vasona Lake County Park offers weekend rentals including pedal boats, canoes, stand‑up paddleboards, kayaks and sailboats (with some restrictions).—
Debby Rice,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
On the river, two 10-metre canoes are strapped together, holding a truck and powered by a single outboard motor.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Every room features fun and quirky touches, from an oversized mural by Mexican artist Ivan Aguirre to an infinity mirror installation over the bed filled with traditional Mexican crafts called alebrijes and miniature toys.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Also enjoy tours of the Nectar Garden, lively puppet shows, special presentations about pollinators, family-friendly nature crafts and live music.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Their protagonists tend to be runaways—men who join whaling expeditions in their haste to dodge the malaise that sets in on shore, boys who board rafts floating down the Mississippi to evade their guardians and their chores.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Today, the village is separated from the mainland by about 660 yards of shimmering turquoise water where fishermen paddle on homemade rafts.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boats. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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