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
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
The town, home to roughly 20,000 residents, sits near the Wisconsin border, where people can show up on their boats for waterfront dining and admire the work of the circa-1931 lift bridge, one of the few still in operation.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
The rider hung onto his upside-down watercraft for an hour, as speeding boats raced by.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
The water taxi service is right behind the venue, and the 15 different boats can take 6,000 people around the bay.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Other responding boats were even farther out.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
Security boats are on patrol this week in Anaheim Bay, running exercises to defend the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach against attacks from sea or land.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
There’s more charm along the waterfront, where traditional fishing boats and recreational vessels are lined up along the marina.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
Today is a fishing day, and there won’t be enough space on the quay to launch the Jasus Tristani — one of the two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) operated by Tristan’s Fisheries Department — until all the lobster fishing boats head out to sea.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 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 younger two brothers float paper boats in the kitchen sink and Jeremy plays along, sprinkling flour on their heads—but making the kitchen a total mess.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
The town, home to roughly 20,000 residents, sits near the Wisconsin border, where people can show up on their boats for waterfront dining and admire the work of the circa-1931 lift bridge, one of the few still in operation.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
The rider hung onto his upside-down watercraft for an hour, as speeding boats raced by.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
The water taxi service is right behind the venue, and the 15 different boats can take 6,000 people around the bay.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Other responding boats were even farther out.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
Security boats are on patrol this week in Anaheim Bay, running exercises to defend the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach against attacks from sea or land.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
There’s more charm along the waterfront, where traditional fishing boats and recreational vessels are lined up along the marina.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
Today is a fishing day, and there won’t be enough space on the quay to launch the Jasus Tristani — one of the two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) operated by Tristan’s Fisheries Department — until all the lobster fishing boats head out to sea.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 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
-
Holly Thompson, a nurse practitioner with the Heart Failure and Transplant Program at Children's Minnesota, said William had complex congenital heart disease affecting the valves, chambers and major vessels of his heart.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic, with most commercial vessels avoiding the waterway.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means that all of the Navy ships currently in the Middle East can play a role in enforcing a blockade.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In response, Iranian officials have publicly threatened to sink American ships and stop transit through a second major waterway, the Red Sea.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Most tanker movement in the key Strait of Hormuz, where roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil typically sails past Iran’s coastline, remains at a halt.—
Camila Gomez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Capasecca Yacht Another bespoke yachting experience, Capasecca — featuring four cabins that sleep up to eight guests — sails the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia and Procida, backed by a family with generations of seafaring heritage.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The side decks or walkways that typically connect the aft to the bow on sailing yachts have been removed, meaning that the interior of the main deck can stretch across the full length of the beam.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2026
-
For years, the town of Pembroke Park was chaotic, from chartering yachts to missing audit deadlines.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 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
-
Peddling crafts and paddling canoes—sometimes even the tribal council wants to relax into that image.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The group is working to increase access for canoes and kayaks on the creek, including into Indiana Dunes National Park.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On his latest album, the Russian producer crafts distinctive dub techno rhythms inspired by the chiming repetitions of Indonesian gamelan music.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Activities include scuba demonstrations, touch tanks, research talks, arts & crafts, local vendors, food trucks, raffle prizes and silent auction.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The tactic has become more popular with smugglers as police on the beaches try to thwart crossings by puncturing the rafts that groups of migrants have to inflate and carry to the water.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
To keep the poly from taking on water and sinking, use pool balls and blow-up rafts to support the poly.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boats. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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