Synonyms of boats

boats 1 of 2

noun

plural of boat

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

• vessels
• yachts
• canoes
• kayaks
• crafts
• rafts
• ferries
• schooners
• lifeboats
• taxis
• cruisers
• barges
• watercrafts
• cutters
• sailboats
• skiffs
• motorboats
• rowboats
• dinghies
• pontoons
• catamarans
• shells
• flatboats
• dories
• powerboats
• scows
• bateaux
• pirogues
• sampans
• ketches
• outboards
• punts
• bottoms
• dhows
• outriggers
• coracles
• houseboats
• tubs
• paddleboats
• longboats
• inboards
• towboats
• pinnaces
• sculls
• keels
• shallops
• riverboats
• keelboats
• wherries
• prams
• tugboats
• yawls
• ferryboats
• catboats
• dugouts
• surfboats
• tugs
• gigs
• lighters
• dinks
• workboats
• gondolas
• tender
• whaleboats
• trawlers
• umiaks
• auxiliaries
• seiners
• whalers
• bankers
• hoys
• rowing boats
• luggers
• hydroplanes
• hookers
• gillnetters
• airboats
• bumboats
• launches
• shrimpers
• water taxis
• johnboats
• hydrofoils
• draggers
• curraghs
• piraguas
• cobles
• torpedo boats
• PT boats
• narrow boats
• caïques
• scallopers
• jolly boats
• hovercrafts
• assault boats
• garveys
• cockleshells
• air-cushion vehicles

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

• ships
• vessels
• liners
• warships
• freighters
• yachts
• steamships
• keels
• schooners
• tankers
• steamers
• barges
• cruisers
• ferryboats
• cutters
• sailboats
• corvettes
• merchantmen
• traders
• supertankers
• merchant ships
• coasters
• aircraft carriers
• lightships
• colliers
• men-of-war
• containerships
• ironclads
• flagships
• motor ships
• transports
• destroyers
• argosies
• watercrafts
• tramps
• packets
• icebreakers
• brigs
• brigantines
• caravels
• clippers
• ketches
• superliners
• tall ships
• barks
• junk
• windjammers
• square-riggers
• xebecs

boats

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of boat

as in sails

to travel on water in a vessel

boated to the picnic site on an island in the bay

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sails
• ferries
• ships (out)
• cruises
• voyages
• yachts
• canoes
• kayaks
• takes ship
• navigates
• makes sail
• coasts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of boats

Noun

Climb the short path to the historic Owls Head Lighthouse, then linger to watch boats pass through the bay or enjoy a peaceful walk beneath the park’s towering spruce and pine trees. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026

Because foreign boats aren’t allowed to ship goods between American ports, the lack of competition keeps domestic-shipping costs high, so most stuff gets sent by train or truck (which is, among other things, not great for the environment). — James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

Neighboring countries have sent boats, spotter planes and rescue personnel, including a contingent of divers from French Guiana as officials prepare to switch from a rescue operation to a recovery one. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

In coastal towns, some people acknowledge that fishermen have been drawn into the world of cartels and provide fuel for drug boats making long journeys. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

This luxurious harbor is known for housing some of the Mediterranean’s most over-the-top pleasure boats. — Jennifer Fernández Solano, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Though Ukraine has used drone boats to destroy Russian shipping, the American strike is the first time such a mission has been carried out by a major naval power. — David Szondy july 13, New Atlas, 14 July 2026

But boats, kayaks, paddleboards and other watercraft activities are allowed until mid-October. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

This marks the second notable US military use of drone boats during the war, which began with the United States and Israel attacking Iran on February 28, 2026. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026

Verb

Down at the lake, boats just off the shore slowed to listen while swimmers took in the music from floaties. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

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