helm 1 of 2

noun

ˈhelm How to pronounce helm (audio)
Definition of helmnext
as in head
the place of leadership or command She was at the helm when the company went through its most significant period of growth.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

helm

2 of 2

verb

as in to steer
to operate or control the course of a treacherous route for any weekend sailor just learning to helm his vessel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 helm
Noun
That goes double for a team entering another Cup-or-bust season under the helm of a controversial bench boss who hasn’t coached an NHL game in nearly seven years. — Janson Duench, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Weiss is currently on pace for 98 in his inaugural season at the Braves helm. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
The movie was helmed by Kevin Smith, best known for directing Clerks (1994). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026 In the past, Cohen, who helms a SiriusXM radio empire, including hosting Andy Cohen Live, has been rumored to be the eventual successor for Stern. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for helm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helm
  1. head
  2. steer
  3. chair
  4. pilot
  5. forefront
  6. top
Noun
  • Mayflies hovering around our heads were bound to attract bats, and bats creep me out.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Sunderland were, according to Transfermarkt, the division’s lowest spenders at £66million, but that lower turnover helped preserve the tactical identity implemented by head coach Regis Le Bris last season.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of head
Verb
  • The 44-year-old has steered them from relegation trouble to a second Champions League qualification in three seasons with an attractive style of play.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • As the parents and children approached the school, first grader Hayden Raupe steered his black, blue and green bike past a line of cars stretching around the corner.
    — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of steer
Noun
  • As a rising star in the party, a vice chair at the National Republican Senatorial Committee who’s known for her strong Democratic relationships, Britt is trying to help her party navigate the political challenge posed by data center growth.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Shortly after the trade deadline, Tigers closer Kenley Jansen leaned back in his chair and talked about reasons for hope.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of chair
Verb
  • Mario Lamar, 80, was piloting the aircraft with his wife, Lili Lamar, 79, granddaughter, Sofia Sosa, 28, and grandson Christian Sosa, 22, aboard when the plane went down.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Carol, the 55-year-old captain, had more than 7,000 hours of flying time and had been certified to pilot Boeing 767s since May, the NTSB said.
    — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of pilot
Noun
  • More Black students are passing standardized tests across North Carolina’s biggest school districts, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is at the forefront of that change.
    — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The post provides an unusually granular picture of how far the automation of AI research has gone inside one of the companies at the forefront of both creating AI systems and deploying them internally.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of forefront
Noun
  • While dark-wash jeans, trench coats, and sweaters may be top of mind, don’t forget your footwear.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Here’s a snapshot of those findings (not in chronological order, because AI’s top of mind these days; plus, my colleague made a cool interactive graphic for you).
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of top

Browse Nearby Words

hells
helm
helmed
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Cite this Entry

“Helm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helm. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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