as in ship
a large craft for travel by water
for a few days at least, the Titanic was the largest and grandest keel afloat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 keel
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025
Despite its considerable bulk, the S680 was in its element, using its prodigious 664 ft lbs of torque to slingshot out of the curves, while rear-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel drive kept it on an even keel through the tightest Alpine curves.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2025
Alan Murray, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2022
Otherwise healthy workers keel over at their desks after a long stretch of overtime or after consummating a high-pressure deal, usually from a stroke or heart attack.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 1 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for keel
Noun
In 2022, the keel-laying ceremony for the lead boat took place, marking the start of full construction.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025
Despite its considerable bulk, the S680 was in its element, using its prodigious 664 ft lbs of torque to slingshot out of the curves, while rear-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel drive kept it on an even keel through the tightest Alpine curves.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
If the program ends before those pension funds shore up their cash reserves to deal with plummeting bond prices, the funds could very rapidly keel over.
—Alan Murray, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2022
Otherwise healthy workers keel over at their desks after a long stretch of overtime or after consummating a high-pressure deal, usually from a stroke or heart attack.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 1 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for keel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keel
Noun
-
Iran seizes 2 ships on smuggling claims DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond climate science, the researchers say the system could also improve safety and planning for ships operating in polar regions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Property managers of a Corryville condominium complex never got a permit to repair a balcony that collapsed three years later.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Numerous tenants complained of going days without hot water during the most severe cold snap of the winter, and photos from the complex show sheets of ice on some walls and a ceiling collapsed on cars in a garage.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Guests of Delamar Mystic also receive complimentary admission to the Mystic Seaport Museum, the nation's largest maritime museum, which can help arrange charters for boat tours down the Mystic River and into Long Island Sound.—
Cameron Sperance,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
-
But do get outside and see the red-footed tortoises that live here and take a boat to the overwater spa bungalow for a calming facial or body treatment.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The polar bear crumpled three steps from Junior’s feet.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Ball collided hard with Lee and both crumpled quickly to the floor, quieting the arena while many looked on anxiously.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … LETHAL INTERCEPT — Deadly US military strike on drug-trafficking vessel leaves 2 dead, 1 survivor.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Tentative plans call for acquiring 51 vessels in the initial phase and scaling the wider fleet to more than 400 ships.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But then there is a working toilet up there that’s not behind any walls or hidden by a door; it’s just plopped there, a few feet from the foot of the bed.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Just plop it in the machine and go on with your busy day.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The movie plunks us down at Mar-a-Lago, where Melania struts out the door and into the back of an SUV, which will take her to the red-white-and-blue private plane painted with the word TRUMP that’s waiting for her at the airport.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The Ritz-Carlton is the only hotel in its class that’s plunked itself down in an actual neighborhood instead of a dedicated business district.—
Brandon Presser,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
French wine and spirits exports have slipped from being traditionally France’s second-largest export sector to third, behind aerospace and cosmetics, as trade tensions intensified.—
Reuters 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Then, in the short track speedskating mixed team relay B final, Julie Letai suffered her own mishap, slipping and crashing into the padding.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Keel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keel. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
