sail 1 of 2

verb

Definition of sailnext
1
as in to boat
to travel on water in a vessel I can't sail when there's any breeze at all because I get seasick easily

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily sailed through the latest assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air a leaf sailed by, carried by the breeze

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sail

2 of 2

noun

ˈsāl How to pronounce sail (audio)
as in voyage
a journey over water in a vessel we went for a brief sail on the bay to relax

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 sail
Verb
The ship’s April transatlantic cruise starts in Port Canaveral before sailing to Bermuda, the Azores, Portugal, and England. — Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026 However, the average vessel isn't exactly sailing around the world for years on end like a commercial freighter. — New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
Also on the way is a textile fresco made from ship sail offcuts by the French design duo Jeanne Martin-Taton and Marie-Marie Vergne, better known for their work with Hermès and India Mahdavi as The Crafties. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 These maritime destinations are a fitting place for Evans’s collection of images handprinted onto heritage yacht sails, each with its own pedigree. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sail
  1. boat
  2. flow
  3. hover
  4. voyage
  5. ferry
  6. cruise
  7. float
  8. glide
Verb
  • Deadly boating tragedies are common in the central African country, where late-night travel and overcrowded vessels are often blamed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The park has boating access, paddlesport rentals, and a swimming beach, as well as hiking trails, campgrounds, and mini cabins.
    — Savannah Born, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of boat
Verb
  • While sentiment is positive and the cash is flowing, this is a good thing.
    — Yerbol Orynbayev, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In winter, several migratory duck species spend the season on its clear-flowing creeks and ponds, including beaver ponds.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • In fact, total non-pensioner benefits have hovered between 4% and 5% for more than 40 years.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • America's confidence in the media is hovering at an all-time low.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of hover
Noun
  • All of this to say that travelers should always take a good look at the itinerary and how sea days and port days are spread throughout the voyage.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The European Space Agency (ESA) probe stopped by only to pick up a gravity assist to continue its voyage to Jupiter and its moons.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of voyage
Verb
  • Treasury said Caspian had transported IRGC personnel and weapons to Syria and said Meraj had ferried illicit cargo, including weapons, to the Syrian government.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • These future space stations will need spacecraft to ferry people to them.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of ferry
Verb
  • The Chicago Blackhawks were coming off a less-than-ideal season opener to Vegas, where the Stanley Cup runner-ups cruised to a 5-2 win.
    — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Caitlin Clark put together a historic performance as the Indiana Fever cruised to a 99-89 victory in Game 2 of their playoff matchup against the Aces on Tuesday, forcing a win-or-go-home Game 3 in Las Vegas.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of cruise
Verb
  • Some of the possible presidential candidates, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, 55, have opted to stay on the sidelines during the midterm elections, while others have sat for press interviews and floated their own names to the media.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Named after the Victoria Regia, a water lily that floats in the Amazon, this hotel imbues Colombian flavor with elegant French touches.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of float
Verb
  • Start with clean skin and apply moisturizer or oil so your fingers glide.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Take the account of a giant, gentle whale shark gliding through the blue waters off the Southern California coast.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of glide

Phrases Containing sail

Browse Nearby Words

said uncle
sail
sailboat
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Cite this Entry

“Sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sail. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sail

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sail

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