1
as in commander
a person in overall command of a ship
the captain is responsible for everything that happens to his ship in the course of a voyage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commandant
one in official command especially of a military force or base
the captain of the largest army ever marshaled for battle in this country
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
we only do what the captain tells us to, so it's not our fault when things don't work out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tycoon
a person of rank, power, or influence in a particular field
a fascinating magazine article profiling the captains of the American auto industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to supervise
to be in charge of
if you do well on this, you'll be asked to captain the next mission
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to rule
to exercise authority or power over
captained the project for a few days while the boss was out of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to command
to serve as leader of
you did a good job of captaining the team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captain
Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Two years ago, the Lightning decided not to engage Stamkos in such talks, which resulted in an awkward final year of the captain’s contract and an acrimonious split last offseason.
—Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
In 1982, her father, who fought in the Vietnam War, captained a tugboat with 30 passengers fleeing central Vietnam amid the country’s post-war reconstruction, stopping briefly in Hong Kong before continuing to California.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for captain
Noun
Ter Stegen was previously the main starter and captain, but a near campaign-ending injury last September led to luring Szczesny out of retirement and signing the Pole on a one-season contract that is expected to be extended.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Two years ago, the Lightning decided not to engage Stamkos in such talks, which resulted in an awkward final year of the captain’s contract and an acrimonious split last offseason.
—Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Verb
Sandoval expects that Huntley will captain the U20 team this year.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
In 1982, her father, who fought in the Vietnam War, captained a tugboat with 30 passengers fleeing central Vietnam amid the country’s post-war reconstruction, stopping briefly in Hong Kong before continuing to California.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for captain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captain
Noun
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Israel launched the air war on June 13, attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and killing top military commanders as well as civilians in the worst blow to the Islamic Republic since the 1980s war with Iraq.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
-
The soldiers say they were ordered by commanders to fire at unarmed civilians who were approaching food distribution sites during off hours, even when the crowds posed no threat.—
Aya Batrawy,
NPR,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Mahoney also performed the duties of acting commandant of the Marine Corps from November 2023 to March 2024 after Gen. Eric Smith suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
18 June 2025
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Schumer pointed to Admiral Linda Fagan being relieved of her duties as commandant of the Coast Guard on Jan. 21.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Finally, leading up, your leaders need to start with the understanding that the ego has to stay outside the door.—
Barbara Puszkiewicz-Cimino,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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In fact, high-profile investors and business leaders in the Big Apple are up in arms about the stunning win by the democratic socialist in the primary to win the Democratic nomination to serve as the next New York City mayor.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Reuters — Vietnam will remove the death penalty for eight offenses from next month, including embezzlement and activities aimed at overthrowing the government, parliament said on Wednesday, sparing the life of a tycoon in a $12 billion fraud case.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
-
Plenty of world leaders, business tycoons, and tech titans share their top reads every year.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The flights will have regular communications with air traffic control towers, a wide array of sensors on board and someone supervising the plane from below. Plans for the company’s air taxis also are being tested at two other U.S. airports., Houston and Long Beach, California.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2025
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Never feed or approach bears, secure all garbage, clean and store grills and fire pits properly, store any toys when not in use and make sure young children and pets are supervised when outside.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Verb
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Judge Arun Subramanian ruled the transcripts needed to be ready to share by 1pm ET.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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The Medical Examiner ruled that Allen’s cause of death was blunt force trauma and gunshot wounds, the arrest report states.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Just as the nuclear triad structured the postwar balance of power, this new triad will determine who commands economic stability, military strength and political influence.—
Markus Pflitsch,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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For many enthusiasts, these innovations make the game more appealing and even addictive, enabling duffers on public courses to command drives and putts that golfers floundering on the sandy Scottish links more than 600 years ago could never imagine.—
Miles Corwin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 June 2025
Noun
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As the skipper of a 2024 pennant-winner, Boone has the honor of managing the American League in this year’s All-Star Game.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
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Register at skippers meeting at 10 a.m. July 4 at the yacht club, 1950 Harbor Drive North.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captain. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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