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
The top 6 players will qualify directly for the team, while the other 6 will be selected by the captain with the help of his vice-captains. Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025 Bobby will try to defend his title from fellow captains Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso, while Williamson will serve as a judge. Erin Clements, People.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
Danilo, who captained the team throughout last season, was overlooked ahead of his contract being terminated in January, allowing the Brazilian veteran full-back to join Flamengo. Philip Buckingham, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 Among them was Deyna Castellanos, a forward for the Portland Thorns who has captained the Venezuelan national team in years past. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • In 2023, Florida ended a more than two-decade experiment that saw child protective investigators employed and supervised by sheriff’s offices in seven counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco.
    Christopher O’Donnell, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
  • Over half of the meteorology positions the weather service is trying to fill are for lead meteorologist or more senior positions, including five meteorologists who supervise the forecast offices.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Quick look at Wednesday's news: The Menendez brothers are eligible for parole, a judge ruled.
    Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • If the Justices rule in Trump’s favor, his Administration could attempt to deny citizenship to thousands of children born in some states, while being barred from doing so in others.
    Nik Popli, Time, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Building access is about forming genuine connections with other influencers, thought leaders and gatekeepers who already command attention.
    John Knotts, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Researchers led by Elise Wright Knutsen, an atmospheric physicist at the University of Oslo, waited for the right conditions and commanded Perseverance to look up at exactly the right time.
    Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Bayesian’s skipper, James Cutfield, told the overnight watchkeepers to wake him if the wind speed increased above 23 mph or if the boat started dragging anchor, the report said.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
  • By this time, the wind had reached 30 knots, or about 34 miles per hour, and the ship was beginning to lean to one side — and the deckhand ran to wake the skipper, which happened around 4 a.m.
    Greta Bjornson, People.com, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Captain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captain. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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