captains 1 of 2

plural of captain
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

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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
4

captains

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of captain

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 captains
Noun
Former Bournemouth captains Elphick and Cooper were both academy coaches at Bournemouth before being promoted to the senior set-up under manager Gary O’Neil in 2022. James Pearce, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Following the deaths of several sailors in recent attacks , tanker captains and their insurers are expected to remain far more cautious about transiting the Strait. Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 July 2026 That means other captains looking to hire Luke will see the incident on his record. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026 Indeed, unlike vehicle drivers, in addition to forward, backwards, left or right, boat captains must consider heave, pitch, roll and yaw, while constantly adjusting for wind, waves and current, explained Foulkes. Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 The pilots, who help captains guide cargo ships into the port, have conducted various labor actions since last fall. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 July 2026 There was a sizable conference room with at least four light tan leather captains chairs around a square desk, and a large TV on one wall. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 July 2026 Evangelista’s son said much of her frustration also stemmed from how the fire captains treated her possessions during the clean out. Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026 The early copy remained tucked away in Britain’s National Archives until a volunteer cataloging records from the American Revolutionary War came across it in May among the papers of Royal Navy captains. Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Verb
Star center back and veteran captain Virgil van Dijk also captains Liverpool, one of the biggest clubs in the world in England. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026 Hakimi, who captains Morocco and stars for Paris Saint-Germain, is regarded as one of the best right backs in the world. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026 Camberos, who captains the Mexican side and plays for the national team, played for Angel City and Bay FC in between a first stint with América and her current tenure, while Geyse last played for Gotham. Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 22 May 2026 Rozanov captains the re-named Boston Raiders in the TV adaptation. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026 Rush lost two of his top players to The Bennett School when Reeder and fellow senior Harper Gates, both now captains for the Rebels’ premiere team, decided to pursue the new opportunity. Jon Poorman, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captains
Noun
  • Other loadouts support cargo delivery or counter-drone missions, allowing commanders to tailor the aircraft before deployment instead of relying on separate platforms.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026
  • That sentiment, a circle of solidarity, is meant to be echoed in the formation of the samurai commanders.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • Diversity leaders, who have often been positioned around talent, will no longer be able to lean on the annual EEO1 report that many have relied on to understand the demographic data needed to excel in their position.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • While shorting is a common way for firms to hedge their bets, business leaders tend to loathe activist shorts — the folks who target a company by name, bet against it and trash-talk it in the financial press.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • Despite the turmoil set off by the Iran war and border skirmishes with Cambodia, the country’s tycoons are collectively richer and its stock market has surged as Thailand positions itself as a regional data center hub powered by green energy.
    Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Set in the eponymous Texas metropolis, Dallas followed the Ewings, a powerful family of oil tycoons and ranch owners whose feuds and foibles made for wildly entertaining primetime viewing.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • David Smith, who supervises the district’s aedes crew, said his team has received an increasing number of service requests for day-biting mosquitoes within the neighborhood.
    Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
  • View on Spotify Randall Poster, Air Mail’s Music Editor, supervises the music in movies.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • The language of the ethics rules bans public officials from using their name, image, likeness or official position for digital assets.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The avenue lies within the city’s original historic district, where preservation rules tightly regulate new construction and alterations.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • Extra legroom is nice, but freedom from a seatmate is relief, and relief commands a premium.
    Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Outside, the celebratory scene replays, almost bittersweet, as the voice of director Wash Westmoreland commands the cameras and his ensemble, now thoroughly in young adulthood, from an invisible space across the room.
    Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • The American League and National League teams will be managed by John Schneider and Dave Roberts, respectively, the skippers of last year’s World Series clubs.
    Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Ludwig says many breakfast skippers end up overeating at night.
    Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • The reality is, whether his bosses at the Spanish Football Federation knew it or not, De la Fuente’s profile fit that of other successful international coaches.
    Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • By the mid-nineteenth century the Hawaiian throne, and the British, were both losing power as the growing cartel of US plantation bosses aggressively sought sway.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Captains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captains. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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