nautical

adjective

ˈnȯ-ti-kəl How to pronounce nautical (audio)
Definition of nauticalnext
as in navigational
of or relating to navigation of the sea collected sextants and other antique nautical equipment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 nautical In addition, a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place near the fire zone at a 5-nautical-mile radius, below 3,500 feet. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Covered in nautical tattoos and given to spiritual proclamations about the ocean’s generosity, Mitt is recognizable as a type. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026 Striped sweaters are everywhere right now, and this navy and white version puts an autumnal spin on the nautical look. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2026 As bridge construction and congestion swamp Greater Cincinnati, some travelers are shunning spans over the river and taking a more nautical commute. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nautical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nautical
  1. navigational
  2. naval
  3. marine
  4. maritime
Adjective
  • That frees up human operators to focus on big-picture decisions, such as monitoring weather forecasts, running flight simulations for possible paths, and then chaining together a series of navigational waypoints for the smoothest possible journey.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Containers were floating in the water after the vessel sank, Pakistani maritime authorities warned in a navigational alert.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of navigational
Adjective
  • Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Friday that a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of oil struck a naval mine, exploded and caught fire while using an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The development also signals a broader transformation in naval warfare, where unmanned systems are increasingly becoming an important component of military planning.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of naval
Adjective
  • November is Manatee Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and protect our beloved official state marine mammal.
    — Elizabeth Neville, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The Eco Discovery Center, designed like a treehouse, has a terrarium and benthic tank, while the sea cucumber nursery lets children help regenerate one of Langkawi’s most vital marine species.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of marine
Adjective
  • Automatic Identification System, or AIS, transponders broadcast a vessel’s identity, position and movements to other ships and maritime authorities.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Bailey’s findings are compelling but shouldn’t be considered conclusive, cautions Richard Blakemore, maritime history professor at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom who also wasn’t involved with Bailey’s work.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of maritime

Browse Nearby Words

nauseousness
nautical
naval
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Cite this Entry

“Nautical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nautical. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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