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
Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
One 40-year-old based in South Africa, who requested to remain anonymous, recently splashed out on a BGX63 after owning several smaller boats in the 28–37 foot range.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2026
That is, Iran held the Strait of Hormuz hostage by attacking tankers with fast boats and drones and by bombing its Gulf states neighbors and their energy infrastructure.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Israel's foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats on Thursday.
—May 1, CBS News, 1 May 2026
California laws generally dictate tax rates, but the assessor handles appeals, implements tax breaks and also finds new properties to assess — not just houses but also business holdings, boats and aircraft.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Its bustling atmosphere and boats ferrying tourists around testify to the city's lasting appeal.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Developers are mostly focused on creating 16-foot boats that can be quickly reconfigured for a variety of missions and can be acquired for less than $1 million each.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The race’s first launch was on April 23, 1947, with 117 boats and 65 finishers.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 24 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
Volunteers set out in small boats to make sure that the whale didn’t get stuck again.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
One 40-year-old based in South Africa, who requested to remain anonymous, recently splashed out on a BGX63 after owning several smaller boats in the 28–37 foot range.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2026
That is, Iran held the Strait of Hormuz hostage by attacking tankers with fast boats and drones and by bombing its Gulf states neighbors and their energy infrastructure.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Israel's foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats on Thursday.
—May 1, CBS News, 1 May 2026
California laws generally dictate tax rates, but the assessor handles appeals, implements tax breaks and also finds new properties to assess — not just houses but also business holdings, boats and aircraft.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Its bustling atmosphere and boats ferrying tourists around testify to the city's lasting appeal.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Developers are mostly focused on creating 16-foot boats that can be quickly reconfigured for a variety of missions and can be acquired for less than $1 million each.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The race’s first launch was on April 23, 1947, with 117 boats and 65 finishers.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 24 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
-
Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, said Kyiv had informed Israeli authorities about the vessels in advance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Since the beginning of the war, nearly 800 vessels have been stuck in a holding pattern near the passage, impacting about 20,000 mariners.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Oil prices sank Wednesday, and stock markets rallied worldwide with hopes that the United States and Iran are nearing a deal to allow ships to deliver crude from the Persian Gulf once again to their customers.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Now, on their own again, companies are unwilling to bear the risk of transit — letting ships leave would endanger both cargo and personnel.—
Alejandra Jaramillo,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Sooner or later, every ship sails off into the sunset.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
-
The boat sails from Genoa in complete darkness, a precaution against air raids.—
Marcy Thompson,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Remembering Ted Turner, an American original Ted Turner, the brash, visionary entrepreneur who founded CNN, transformed cable television, raced yachts in the America's Cup, and became one of America's leading conservationists, died May 6 at 87.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
The Monegasque racer clearly has an affinity for the Ferretti Group brand, previously taking delivery of the 48 Dolceriva Monza and the 82 Diva Sedici, among other yachts.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
8 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
-
Pão de queijo, as moreish as popcorn, manioc gnocchi, rock-pool sea urchins and Tainha fish, caught by local fishermen who still use traditional canoes and spears, are all served on banana leaves on a wooden table outdoors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The tour ends at the Scar Trees, which are a group of trees that had their bark removed by Aboriginal Peoples for various purposes, including crafting items like canoes or shields.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Enjoy archery, shooting water rockets, tomahawk throwing, exploring fire trucks, racing pinewood derby cars, slacklining, crafts, life-size mazes and more with on-site food trucks offering a variety of cuisines or enjoy your own picnic lunch.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Participants helped plant trees and made crafts.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
From then on, the storytelling goes slack and perfunctory as sharks swarm and chomp on passengers and crew clinging for dear lives on rafts or slabs of plane wreckage.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Four river events for kayaks, rafts and stand-up paddleboards have been moved from Gore Creek in Vail to river venues that are 35-60 miles away.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boats. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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