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
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
The umpires on the water will make subjective judgment calls that include deciding whether a collision was avoidable—that is, determining if the helmsman of one boat gave the other room and opportunity to maneuver to avoid the collision.
—Stan Honey, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2013
See All Example Sentences for helmsman
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
The umpires on the water will make subjective judgment calls that include deciding whether a collision was avoidable—that is, determining if the helmsman of one boat gave the other room and opportunity to maneuver to avoid the collision.
—Stan Honey, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2013
See All Example Sentences for helmsman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helmsman
Noun
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More than 8,000 volunteers are with the program so far, but leaders have a goal of growing Phambassadors to at least 10,000 people before the year's biggest events.—
Nikki DeMentri,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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The leader of the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, which began in South Korea and has spread worldwide, is also on trial over the bribes.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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His hard work was recognized, eventually leading to his head foreman gig working on luxury homes in the Hollywood Hills.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
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Magaña shows him how to maneuver the blade around a thick trunk, as the foreman kicks it loose.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Throughout the novel, Nikki works tirelessly to prove herself amongst industry male figureheads who don’t value her voice, personhood, and brilliance, while managing pressure from a boss who isn't her advocate and navigating challenging colleagues steeped in misogyny and who are power-hungry.—
Dominique Fluker,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The kind of boss who would crawl inside your abdomen instead of turning down the air-conditioning, Bradley suddenly can’t function without Linda.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the Sabres captain has played in 48 games this season while dealing with an unimaginable situation away from the rink.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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The short doesn’t record her confrontation with a flight attendant and the plane’s captain but rather bystanders’ reactions.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Homan will also be taking the lead with Customs and Border Patrol in Minnesota, with Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino expected to depart the state imminently alongside some agents.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Fennessy brings expertise as former chief of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and past fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, one of California’s largest fire departments.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Dell is her stream's dungeon master, banishing those who don't abide by her terms and steadily rising up the platform's ranks with her sympathetic story and angry-funny screen presence.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Dogs kept some of their hierarchical instincts, replacing alpha wolves with their human masters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Mark Macpherson, the detachment commander for Shelburne District RCMP, told CBC News that video footage captured from a nearby residence shows the dogs ran out into the road while Nickerson was riding his bike past their owners’ property.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Target the Supreme Leader and senior Revolutionary Guards commanders.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Jeff Brady, executive director of communications for the district, said Tiger Team Two met at least once a month from September to December to discuss and evaluate school enrollment, the capacity and upkeep and condition of each campus, finances and boundaries for each school.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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Last week, former Marni creative director Francesco Risso was appointed creative director of casual wear brand GU, which is owned by Uniqlo’s Japanese parent company Fast Retailing.—
Maliha Shoaib,
Vogue,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helmsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helmsman. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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