captain 1 of 2

Definition of captainnext
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

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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

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3
4

captain

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of captain
Noun
The rise and fall of the Adams administration Adams, a retired NYPD captain turned Brooklyn politico, served one term as mayor of New York, from 2022 to 2025. Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 Matthew Tkachuk and Seth Jones were alternate captains at their previous stops, the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks, respectively, with Matthew Tkachuk continuing to hold that title with Florida. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
Verb
The future workforce is already here—sitting in classrooms, leading student organizations, captaining athletic teams and volunteering in communities. Dr. Milpha Blamo, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 The star of that tournament was Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez who will captain his country in his final World Cup. Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for captain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captain
Noun
  • Equipped with advanced sensor suites, sonobuoy processing systems, and secure communications networks, the aircraft provides commanders with a comprehensive operational picture across expansive maritime domains.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026
  • The President was acting as commander-in-chief to protect Americans.
    Jack Fink, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • The State Police will also hire a civilian director to work alongside the academy’s commandant, and institute baseline physical and psychological screenings for recruits before the academy begins.
    Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
  • Admiral Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard, said the discovery reconnects the service to a defining moment in its history.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Downtown Sacramento businesses remain skeptical that the state’s July return-to-office mandate affecting roughly 95,000 employees will actually materialize, even as foot traffic sits at 85% of April 2019 levels and local leaders rethink the urban core’s heavy reliance on office space.
    Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • The concerns have drawn the attention of city leaders.
    Jason Rantala, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Alongside the police raids, the downfall of these tycoons put pressure on scam companies, which have relocated from Cambodia in recent months, researchers and former scam workers said.
    Shibani Mahtani, NPR, 21 June 2026
  • The couple traveled to the South of France in search of a holiday home and, in 1938, stayed at the legendary Hôtel Provençal in Juan-les-Pins as guests of its owner, Florence Gould, the socialite wife of American tycoon Frank Jay Gould.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • That enables Cadence’s system, which is supervised by physicians, to alert a clinician when a patient is deteriorating before a stroke or heart attack, for example.
    Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Judge Stacy Street sentenced Beckwith to three years supervised probation, the court clerk confirmed to USA TODAY.
    Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Initially, the referees ruled Freeman had been offside.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026
  • The development came after the judge ruled in May that evidence found during an initial search of Mangione's backpack must be suppressed, including a magazine, cell phone, passport and wallet.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • The note was dictated and signed by Washington and given to Charles Cornwallis, Britain’s lieutenant general commanding the southern campaign, in Yorktown, Virginia, following the British request to end hostilities to agree to the terms of its surrender.
    Adela Suliman, NBC news, 23 June 2026
  • My aunts are commanding, and each in her own way can be intimidating.
    Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Defeat would leave the futures of England’s skipper, coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key in the balance again.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • Gerrit Cole, originally scheduled to pitch Sunday, is now slated to start on Monday in Detroit, the skipper said.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Captain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captain. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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