as in reins
the place of leadership or command
with a blind person at the helm, the city has made a lot of improvements for the physically challenged
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Recent Examples of helms
Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Working with various British helms over the years — Sir Ben Ainslie, Giles Scott and more recently Fletcher — part of Great Britain’s strength last year was the duo’s ever-solid partnership.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
For 35 years, the nonprofit that Ridgeway, the former Eagle mayor, now helms operated a senior center in the small city building on Old State Street.
—Rose Evans
updated December 10, Idaho Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
Writer-director Benny Safdie helms this A24 drama that’s sure to be on Oscar voters’ radars.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
The 63-year-old chef helms the kitchen at Vila Joya—the restaurant of a gracious boutique hotel in Portugal that shares its name—which earned one Michelin star in 1995 and a second in 1999.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025
Conflict continued in China between communist and nationalist forces until the former eventually came out on top in 1949 leading to the creation of the People’s Republic of China that Xi now helms.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Allen-Miller helms The Roots Manœuvre from her own script.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025
Chef Aaron Hanson, previously a sous chef at Beholder, helms the kitchen.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
For dessert, pastry chef Maribel Aldaco helms her eponymous spot; and for a tipple or two, there are a variety of bars about to enjoy, though the star of the show is Library Bar, with classic cocktails and vintages on standby.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2025
Howard helms the film from a script by Michael Russell Gunn with revisions by Erin Cressida Wilson and Amy Herzog.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 21 Nov. 2025
Rulla Nehme Pontarelli Rulla helms a financial empire as a Certified Financial Planner and Wealth Manager to some of the East Coast’s most distinguished families.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 16 Nov. 2025
The mayor helms numerous responsibilities for the town, per the city's website, including presiding over city council meetings, serving as a spokesperson for the community and tending to day-to-day operations in the city.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
Nick Wickham — who has directed concert films for Madonna, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and the Cure previously, among others — helms the new film.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
For showrunner Jaime Escallón (The X Factor, Survivor), who helms the series alongside Lucas Jaramillo (in addition to working as the group’s GM), fans are top of mind.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Behind the camera, Berman and Pulcini direct the first two episodes, while Francesca Gregorini helms episodes three, six and seven, and Josephine Bornebusch takes on episodes four and five.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Working with various British helms over the years — Sir Ben Ainslie, Giles Scott and more recently Fletcher — part of Great Britain’s strength last year was the duo’s ever-solid partnership.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
For 35 years, the nonprofit that Ridgeway, the former Eagle mayor, now helms operated a senior center in the small city building on Old State Street.
—Rose Evans
updated December 10, Idaho Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
Writer-director Benny Safdie helms this A24 drama that’s sure to be on Oscar voters’ radars.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
The 63-year-old chef helms the kitchen at Vila Joya—the restaurant of a gracious boutique hotel in Portugal that shares its name—which earned one Michelin star in 1995 and a second in 1999.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025
Conflict continued in China between communist and nationalist forces until the former eventually came out on top in 1949 leading to the creation of the People’s Republic of China that Xi now helms.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Allen-Miller helms The Roots Manœuvre from her own script.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
As reported, sources say Mathias Facchini, who helms Swinger International, and SRI Group will buy a 15 percent stake in Etro through a single vehicle.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025
Chef Aaron Hanson, previously a sous chef at Beholder, helms the kitchen.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
For dessert, pastry chef Maribel Aldaco helms her eponymous spot; and for a tipple or two, there are a variety of bars about to enjoy, though the star of the show is Library Bar, with classic cocktails and vintages on standby.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2025
Howard helms the film from a script by Michael Russell Gunn with revisions by Erin Cressida Wilson and Amy Herzog.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 21 Nov. 2025
Rulla Nehme Pontarelli Rulla helms a financial empire as a Certified Financial Planner and Wealth Manager to some of the East Coast’s most distinguished families.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 16 Nov. 2025
The mayor helms numerous responsibilities for the town, per the city's website, including presiding over city council meetings, serving as a spokesperson for the community and tending to day-to-day operations in the city.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
Nick Wickham — who has directed concert films for Madonna, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and the Cure previously, among others — helms the new film.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
For showrunner Jaime Escallón (The X Factor, Survivor), who helms the series alongside Lucas Jaramillo (in addition to working as the group’s GM), fans are top of mind.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helms
Noun
-
When that failed, Riley handed the reins of his defense — and a massive paycheck — to the crosstown rival’s rising star … who then left two years later.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Those reins would include more de-escalation training for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol agents and oversight of detention facilities.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The lifestyle and luxury executive, who joined Trudon in March 2025, also steers the creative strategy of its sister company Carrière Frères, a French interior fragrance brand.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Toyota steers through rough terrain Economic uncertainty and inflation made 2025 a tough year for new-car sales.—
Matthew Heimer,
Fortune,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Battery brushes stop working in the middle of a job, and the heads get dirty.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026
-
These are just some of the possible consequences of cuts to the state budget the Legislature is considering, state department heads told lawmakers Friday.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The drones are always recording and equipped with high-quality zoom and thermal cameras as a Cincinnati police officer remotely pilots the drone from the department's command center.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Dec. 2025
-
When Claire’s adult daughter Channing pilots the idea of going on a ski trip next year and starting her own holiday traditions, Claire completely ices her out and won’t consider it.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
World is operated by Tools for Humanity, a company OpenAI CEO Sam Altman founded and currently chairs.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
With more rooms for chairs and couches, lingering will be encouraged.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helms. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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