as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
had a complaint and demanded to talk to the helmsman of this vast construction project, not some underling
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Recent Examples of helmsman
Burling, at 26, is the youngest helmsman to win sailing’s greatest prize in a competition that dates to 1851.
2021 — Tour de France: The largest pile up in Tour history is caused by a spectator with a sign during Stage 1.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
The Australian Spithill is a former skipper and helmsman for BMW Oracle Racing, winning the America’s Cup in 2010, defending the cup twice, both times against Emirates Team New Zealand, first successfully in 2013, and unsuccessfully in 2017.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
The helmsman, feeling swells beneath the vessel, gleans the proper heading, even in the dark.
—The Conversation, 14 May 2025
Each boat has a crew of five members, consisting of a helmsman, wing-trimmer, flight controller and two grinders.
—Jane Tyska, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helmsman
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
The Australian Spithill is a former skipper and helmsman for BMW Oracle Racing, winning the America’s Cup in 2010, defending the cup twice, both times against Emirates Team New Zealand, first successfully in 2013, and unsuccessfully in 2017.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
The helmsman, feeling swells beneath the vessel, gleans the proper heading, even in the dark.
—The Conversation, 14 May 2025
Each boat has a crew of five members, consisting of a helmsman, wing-trimmer, flight controller and two grinders.
—Jane Tyska, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helmsman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helmsman
Noun
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After deliberations stretching across three weeks, the Sacramento City Council appointed Tuesday a new leader for a local agency tasked with overseeing public housing.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
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With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The shop foreman has taken multiple test drives and acknowledged the whistling.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
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Rebecca will also meet Tom's foreman, Nash McCabe (Brad Abramenko), and his wife, Peggy (Chelsea Hobbs).—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Liberal Democrats who despised Daley as a corrupt big-city boss hailed Jackson as a hero.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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Emma Laird is Shannon, this outwardly confident daughter of a crime boss, who is desperate to find real love.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The victory might have come at a high cost for Canada, which saw captain Sidney Crosby limp to the dressing room in the second period following a collision with Gudas along the boards.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Canada was trailing 2-1 at the time of Crosby's injury, but rallied to tie the game at 2 thanks to a power play goal from Colorado Avalanche assistant captain Nathan MacKinnon.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Zuckerberg’s court appearance follows that of Instagram chief Adam Mosseri last week.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Leading the ticket alongside Magyar are international energy expert Anita Orbán (no relation to the prime minister), whom the party tapped as its prospective foreign policy chief, and former Shell executive István Kapitány, who would fill a senior economy position in a future Tisza government.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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They were carved with patriotic love by a Texas sculptor who studied in Paris under a French modern master and envisioned as the polished centerpieces of a $10 million park, but now sit in a Virginia field as an offbeat, reservations-only, roadside tourist draw.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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Rick likens his son’s interactions with the media to those of Bill Belichick, the legendary football coach and master of the monosyllabic press conference.—
Tom Kludt,
Vanity Fair,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Their lawsuit alleges Quero Silva was the national guard commander who instructed his officers to strip both male and female protestors and then kick and strike them with boots and helmets inside the barracks in Barquisimeto, west of Caracas.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Original crew members, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, who was originally slated to be commander but would have been making her first spaceflight, and Stephanie Wilson, a veteran of three space shuttle flights, were pulled from the mission.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The drama also won best director for Clint Bentley and best cinematography for Adolpho Veloso.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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Kristi Trail, executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, said plastic beads are a twofold problem.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helmsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helmsman. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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