captain 1 of 2

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
While responding to a call after a two-car collision, Chim goes off on one of the drivers, as well as Gerrard (Brian Thompson), who has stepped in as interim captain until a replacement can be determined. Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 2 May 2025 Thompson’s momentum carried him far left, leaving tons of real estate wide-open for New York’s captain to buy up. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Verb
According to the two survivors, the boat was overcrowded, lacked life jackets and was captained by someone with little to no navigation experience. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025 In her place, the armband has been worn by Boswell’s housemate, Robertson, who captained them to successive victories away at AFC Wimbledon and Gwalia United. Asif Burhan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for captain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captain
Noun
  • When his estranged son vanishes during a space mission, a once-legendary, now fallen from grace shuttle commander is pulled into a high-stakes hostage exchange in space to get his boy back from captors who are not from Earth.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 May 2025
  • The military services were rushing to put out new guidance to help commanders work through the process, including what to do in more complex situations, such as if any of the troops are deployed, at sea or may require special orders or funding to meet the deadlines.
    Lolita C. Baldor, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • If signed into law, the bill would give the Coast Guard commandant greater authority over when the reservists can be called into duty.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • Her departure follows earlier dismissals of Admiral Linda Fagan, who had been serving as Coast Guard commandant, and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, previously nominated to lead the Navy.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump 100 days: Former president's success created measuring stick for future leaders Poll: Trump loses trust on the economy as 100-day mark nears From Trump to Reagan: Their first 100 days Trump promised to improve the economy on Day 1.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • President Trump, Vice President Vance React to First American Pope Announcement World leaders across continents extended messages of hope, unity and spiritual solidarity Thursday after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The man who once mocked piety had become a moral touchstone; the scold of American pretensions now dined with tycoons.
    Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Some real estate tycoons, who are actively developing, have to fret over the cost of building materials.
    Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 May 2025
  • Some dogs may need to be supervised at all times when playing with some of their toys.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Beverly Cannone, the Norfolk County judge presiding in the case, ruled in January that Dr. Marie Russell, an emergency room physician, can testify in Read's second trial that marks on O'Keefe's arm were dog bites, not caused by being hit by an SUV.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • For his part, the boy is quiet and seems penitent, making the cell a calming refuge for Dean within an institution unofficially ruled by a cutthroat mini mob boss, Freddie (Ishay Lalosh).
    Judy Berman, Time, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Romania’s president has a semi-executive role that includes commanding the armed forces and chairing the security council that decides on military aid.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • The group also commands a large following on social — with more than 500K followers on Instagram and 637K on TikTok — and recently launched a nationwide live sketch tour.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The Liverpool and Netherlands skipper is one of the greatest centre-backs of the modern era, but his journey to the top was far from straightforward.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The Rockies’ manager from 2002-09, his 534 wins are second in franchise history behind current skipper Bud Black, and Hurdle was at the helm for Colorado’s Rocktober run to the World Series in 2007.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Captain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captain. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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