sail 1 of 2

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

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2
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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sail

2 of 2

noun

as in voyage
a journey over water in a vessel we went for a brief sail on the bay to relax

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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 sail
Verb
Plus, Pink will be hosting for the first time — and she's teased that she's set to sail through the Radio City skies with some unbelievable acrobatics. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026 Democrats had nixed two Richard Nixon nominations to the Supreme Court and one of Reagan’s, but Antonin Scalia sailed through the Senate 98-0 in 1986, Anthony Kennedy passed on a 97-0 voice vote in 1988. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Noun
The first CalCOFI expedition set sail in 1949 in a joint effort by Scripps, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) and state Fish and Wildlife officials. Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 Giant shade sails soften the harsh summer sun, giving everything a soft glow. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sail
Verb
  • Be mindful of weather conditions when boating or kayaking.
    Katherine Lawless, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
  • The fire department said the eight other people in the boating party returned in the last two boats that had remained upright.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Still, there has been a notable shift in tone, largely flowing from Pope Francis and continuing under Leo, that embrace a warmer, more welcoming attitude toward LGBTQ communities.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
  • Below that, the main deck is equipped with a spacious salon that flows onto the aft deck, the swim platform, and a garage with space for a 16-foot tender and a Jet Ski.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • In 1800, just as the first true vaccine—against smallpox—came into use, life expectancy at birth hovered around thirty years worldwide.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • With an average unit cost hovering around $800,000 for the first three broadcasts of this year’s Finals, Disney is already close to eclipsing last season’s seven-game ad haul, which EDO AdEngage estimates pegged at $288 million.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The voyage to Easter Island can take up to 10 days depending on the speed of the boat and the weather.
    Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • Itineraries include a seven-night Mediterranean adventure from Greece to Egypt, a week-long Adriatic voyage from Croatia to Italy, and a five-night Riviera trip from Spain to Monaco, for example.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was ferrying drugs.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 June 2026
  • Sebago’s current owner, BasicNet, has committed to preserve that 80-year legacy and ferry it into the future, celebrating the anniversary with several activations this year.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • With all the momentum, the Valkyries looked poised to cruise to an easy win.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
  • The aircraft cruises at 75 knots and can sprint at 90 knots.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Political observers often float Ossoff as a potential 2028 candidate for president, but he's waved away speculation.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 15 June 2026
  • This matters more on scenic itineraries than on port-heavy Mediterranean cruises, where the ship often functions as a floating hotel between destinations.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • On the basketball court, Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler has carved a 14-year career by gliding through space with the melodic flow of an orchestra.
    Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026
  • Ice skating’s governing body is gliding into a presidential election Friday, free of the turmoil that just gripped its Olympic sibling skiing.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sail. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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