1
as in commanders
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 commandants
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 leaders
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 tycoons
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 supervises
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 rules
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 commands
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 captains
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
This is the latest installment of Crews on Cruise, a column spotlighting the people who work behind the scenes of the world’s most memorable voyages—from bartenders and entertainers to ship captains and expedition leaders.
—Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Even in a party that could number as many as 45 men, York stood out – for his courage, his skill and his sacrifices that helped the famous captains reach the Pacific Ocean.
—Craig Fehrman, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
The missing ships’ captains and crews are experienced sailors, convoy organizers Nuestra America said Friday.
—Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signalling equipment.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signaling equipment.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Izzo gives a shoutout to Fort Izzo praised his captains — Kohler, Cooper, Fears and Carr — for staying committed to Michigan State and growing into their roles over the last three seasons.
—Jonah Bronstein, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Seven-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who are co-captains of Founders FFC, both showed off Rolexes at the event on Wednesday.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee captains the South Korean team that finished as runner-up to Team Japan in Pool C from Tokyo.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
Virgil Van Dijk, Netherlands defender Virgil Van Dijk, who captains Liverpool, has widely been regarded as the best defender in the world for the last eight years.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 Dec. 2025
Fernandez is also one of the main leaders in the dressing room and regularly captains Chelsea when Reece James is not on the pitch.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
As Olivia Walker in the Netflix thriller, the actress captains the White House's Situation Room with the world on the brink of nuclear war.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
And, John Kraus, who captains the Spirit, is ready.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Once the final direct qualifiers have been determined, captains Bradley and Luke Donald must select the remaining six members of their teams.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Gracely, who usually captains larger vessels—oil tankers, container ships—described a stretch when the boat ran on battery power down the Atchafalaya River.
—Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
Top pitcher Madi DeLano stands out, while captains Avery Urlichman (first base) and Chloe Martin (second base) anchor the offense with outfielder Claire Roy.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
This is the latest installment of Crews on Cruise, a column spotlighting the people who work behind the scenes of the world’s most memorable voyages—from bartenders and entertainers to ship captains and expedition leaders.
—Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Even in a party that could number as many as 45 men, York stood out – for his courage, his skill and his sacrifices that helped the famous captains reach the Pacific Ocean.
—Craig Fehrman, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
The missing ships’ captains and crews are experienced sailors, convoy organizers Nuestra America said Friday.
—Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signalling equipment.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signaling equipment.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Izzo gives a shoutout to Fort Izzo praised his captains — Kohler, Cooper, Fears and Carr — for staying committed to Michigan State and growing into their roles over the last three seasons.
—Jonah Bronstein, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Seven-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who are co-captains of Founders FFC, both showed off Rolexes at the event on Wednesday.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Tigertail, 36, who captains airboat tours through the Everglades, is navigating his boat through the only route available given how dry the park has gotten this year.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee captains the South Korean team that finished as runner-up to Team Japan in Pool C from Tokyo.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
Virgil Van Dijk, Netherlands defender Virgil Van Dijk, who captains Liverpool, has widely been regarded as the best defender in the world for the last eight years.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 Dec. 2025
Fernandez is also one of the main leaders in the dressing room and regularly captains Chelsea when Reece James is not on the pitch.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
As Olivia Walker in the Netflix thriller, the actress captains the White House's Situation Room with the world on the brink of nuclear war.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
And, John Kraus, who captains the Spirit, is ready.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Once the final direct qualifiers have been determined, captains Bradley and Luke Donald must select the remaining six members of their teams.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Gracely, who usually captains larger vessels—oil tankers, container ships—described a stretch when the boat ran on battery power down the Atchafalaya River.
—Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captains
Noun
-
As a new generation of commanders rises within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following recent military blows under Operation Epic Fury, analysts warn that this ideology may become even more entrenched.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
His military commanders, as well as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have previously touted US air superiority over Iranian territory.—
Arsalan Shahla,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In response to that criticism, California leaders last year created a carve out that exempts certain projects in urban areas from needing a CEQA review to move forward.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
More than a half-dozen potential candidates are speaking here to make inroads among Black leaders, one of Democrats' most powerful voting blocs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Steyer has most pointedly taken aim at tech company tycoons who have put millions into San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s campaign for governor.—
ANDREW GRAHAM,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But where does Ted Turner live now that other tycoons have bought up enough acreage to surpass his record?—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The group recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who represent children in the foster care system in juvenile courts, according to its website.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
First To Serve, the nonprofit that supervises the hotel, did not respond to inquiries from The Times.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ahead of the show's premiere, Witwer spoke to ABC News about what Devon offers Maul in a galaxy where his former master, Darth Sidious, now rules as Emperor Palpatine.—
Sean Keane,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Christopher McVey was sent off late against Real Salt Lake after a second yellow card, which rules him out for Saturday and forces a lineup shuffle.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Because of his swing, Lincoln-Way Central’s Joey Vellenga commands attention.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Very Cherry reclaimed the crown in 2003 and has remained the top seller since, but Buttered Popcorn still commands a devoted following.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Now, skippers compete in races on different classes of ice boats.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Keep your eyes open for Martial and Mallow scrub-hairstreaks, lyside sulphurs, malachites, and a variety of skippers fluttering among the blooms.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
First, movies are workplaces, and Nirenberg’s interviewees reveal the stressful negotiations involved in the daily life of filmmaking—not only with executives and producers but also with directors, who, though employed by those very same businesspeople, are also the immediate bosses of the crew.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Parents and bosses might be a tad righteous or overbearing.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captains. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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