sail 1 of 2

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
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital. Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025 The group said the boat, sailing under the Portuguese flag, sustained damage to its main deck and below-deck storage, but that no one was hurt. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Small crafts include owners of small to medium sized motor and sail boats, affecting fisherman, para-sailors, windsurfers and canoe paddlers. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025 Experts see little on the horizon that could take the wind out of gold's sails right now, with price forecasts holding firmly above $3,500 for the remainder of the year. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sail
Verb
  • Without that deal, the local boating company has had to scale back its service and move its dock farther down the Ohio River.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Enjoy swimming, boating from the marina, fishing, numerous hiking trails and camping facilities.
    Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An inner radiative zone (makes up 70 percent of the Sun by radius), where energy flows smoothly and the whole region spins together like a solid ball, and the outer convective zone (the remaining 30 percent), where hot gases swirl chaotically and spin at different speeds depending on location.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Many of the most bullish bitcoin traders and investors have predicted the bitcoin price will climb at a faster rate when the Fed does begin to lower interest rates, something that encourages cash to flow more quickly through the economy.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Parents who hover too closely — always ready to smooth the path, to shield from discomfort — may unintentionally rob their children of the chance to develop resilience.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • No more hovering at the oven door.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In addition to showcasing the Arctic’s raw, austere beauty and wildlife encounters such as sightings of polar bears, walruses, wolves, giant musk ox, narwhal, and snowy owls, the voyage shines a spotlight on the Indigenous people who have stewarded the region’s unusual ecosystems for 5,000 years.
    Robin Catalano, AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Unfortunately for her, Sebastian Brooks, the Duke of Whitfield, is on the same voyage, and the rake is as frustrating and handsome as ever.
    Mia Sosa, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some protesters forced their way into the parliament complex by breaking through a barricade, a local official said, setting fire to an ambulance, hurling objects at riot police, and ferrying the injured to the hospital on motorcycles.
    Gopal Sharma, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Once Kelley starts visiting Göring’s wife and daughter, getting cozy, teaching Göring’s cute kiddo magic kids, and ferrying messages back and forth to boot, things get really sticky.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Unsurprisingly, Haas & Mehta cruised into the gold medal match from the top half after taking out the bracket favorite.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For cruising around town while keeping tabs on the surrounding potholes, traffic and pedestrians, however, many cyclists prefer the more commanding, upright, back-friendly stance offered by a flat handlebar.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This is not a wallowing cruiser that isolates the driver in a leather cocoon, floating along, not entirely sure where the front end is.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Another feature that’s worth highlighting is the 129 square-foot sleeping loft that can accommodate a bed, small nightstands, floating shelves, and even a houseplant or two.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Particularly when set to the Maybach-only suspension/powertrain calibration, the car just glides even over the horrible roads of Southern California.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The feeling of gliding through the water, along with the sense of flow and focus, keeps her coming back to the lanes.
    Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sail. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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