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
Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
The architects William Treanor and Maurice Fatio even treated the East River as the Grand Canal, adding a private dock for residents to moor their boats.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 10 Jan. 2026
From there, prosecutors say, Wedding used boats and planes to move hundreds of kilos at a time from Colombia to Mexico.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
Neither of these trends results in a tide that raises all boats.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Founded by University of Texas graduates James Howard Barnett and Dorothy May Barnett, Zilker Park Boat Rentals has been renting boats on Lady Bird (formerly Town) Lake for more than 50 years.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Of course, the committee wouldn’t normally award the prize to someone who has been blowing up small, allegedly drug-running fishing boats, killing the people in them.
—Merrill Matthews, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Mag Bay, whose principals launched Cabo Yachts back in the 1990s, was almost hidden at the show among the other high-end offshore boats.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
The West Palm Beach firm boasts of being the supplier for a company that provides teak used to build decks on Viking boats.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
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 waterfront views steal the show, especially as boats drift by and the light starts to change.
—Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
The architects William Treanor and Maurice Fatio even treated the East River as the Grand Canal, adding a private dock for residents to moor their boats.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 10 Jan. 2026
From there, prosecutors say, Wedding used boats and planes to move hundreds of kilos at a time from Colombia to Mexico.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
Neither of these trends results in a tide that raises all boats.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Founded by University of Texas graduates James Howard Barnett and Dorothy May Barnett, Zilker Park Boat Rentals has been renting boats on Lady Bird (formerly Town) Lake for more than 50 years.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Of course, the committee wouldn’t normally award the prize to someone who has been blowing up small, allegedly drug-running fishing boats, killing the people in them.
—Merrill Matthews, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Mag Bay, whose principals launched Cabo Yachts back in the 1990s, was almost hidden at the show among the other high-end offshore boats.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
The West Palm Beach firm boasts of being the supplier for a company that provides teak used to build decks on Viking boats.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
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
-
The program includes live bands and DJs on select sailings and routes, with performances typically held on larger vessels where space allows for small stage setups.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
While there are probably Russian submarines — as there are across the Arctic region — there are no surface vessels, Mortensgaard said.—
Emma Burrows,
Fortune,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some cruise lines also restrict certain areas of their ships to adults.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The company is also debuting A&K × Crystal Cultural Voyages, integrating Abercrombie & Kent tours with Crystal Cruises’ luxury ships, beginning with a Mediterranean sailing in August 2026.—
Josh Roberts,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Where National Geographic Endurance Sails Endurance often sails in icy waters, including those in the Arctic and around Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands.—
Kristen E. Pope,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Orgon’s only ally is his domineering parade float of a mother, Madame Pernelle (the Bianca del Rio), who sails onto the stage in high dudgeon at the top of the play.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The back of the home stretches along 105 feet of water frontage, where there’s a deep-water dock for large yachts and a 50,000-pound boat lift.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
13 Jan. 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,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In late November, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which ferries 80% of all Kazakh oil supplies from Kazakhstan to the Black Sea, said it had been attacked twice in four days.—
Vasco Cotovio,
CNN Money,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The fanciest, most famous restaurants are still doing mostly table service, but just about every other establishment has been conscripted into the army that ferries hot food out of professional kitchens and into American mouths 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Stop at Matlacha Outfitters to rent kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards and spend the day on the water.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Over the years, the Barnetts have expanded their fleet of canoes and paddleboards from nine to more than 100.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Get up close with chickens and rabbits, watch calves being born in the Moo-ternity Educational Exhibit in the Kubota Ag Zone, and visit the Ag-Ventureland Kids Area, which features crafts and activity stations.—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
-
This can be a shelf or basket with crafts, puzzles, books, or practical life activities.—
Jose Bolanos,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Dive and technical rescue teams, including those equipped with rafts and drones, assisted in the recovery.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Life-rafts for me who was so lonely, who desperately craved some cause for hope, nights alone in my bedroom, listening to the screams.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Boats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boats. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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