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 French superstar winced after a free kick sailed over the goalpost in the 88th minute. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026 The Greeks’ ship was a real ship that sailed across the Mediterranean. — Valentina Colosimo, Vanity Fair, 14 July 2026
Noun
The actors also learned other ways to work the ship, including casting sails, so Nolan and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema could just shoot them working as if making a documentary. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 July 2026 Schettino conducted a sail-by salute near Giglio Island off the coast of Tuscany on January 13, 2012, where a crew member had family, according to the documentary. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 10 July 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
  • Down at the lake, boats just off the shore slowed to listen while swimmers took in the music from floaties.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
  • In Valencia, a number of boating outfitters are offering eclipse-viewing charters since La Malvarrosa beach, the city’s official viewing spot, faces east, meaning viewers will need to look inland to see the eclipse.
    — Catherine Tansey, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 July 2026
Definition of boat
Verb
  • Researchers in China have developed a flowing zinc slurry battery that operated continuously for 5,128 hours, offering a new approach to long-duration energy storage for renewable power systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
  • Just take Stella McCartney’s spring 2004 collection, which featured a flowing, organic dress practically made for a water nymph.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 July 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • This World Cup has seen the transformation of streets with murals and graffiti, as well as this kite below of Argentina’s jersey that hovers over the streets.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Ajayi, who hovers at 6-foot-7 and weighs 228-pounds, is a massive specimen who can defend multiple positions.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of hover
Noun
  • Even the modest changes this reprieve has allowed—at roughly three voyages every two days—have added up to tens of millions of gallons of domestic oil staying in the country instead of going overseas.
    — James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
  • Elsewhere, a dining table converts into a puzzle and craft table, while the owner’s suite wraps around the mizzen mast and connects directly to a private study designed for working remotely during extended voyages.
    — Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of voyage
Verb
  • But airstrikes have recently extended to infrastructure, such as railways that could be used to ferry weapons.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 July 2026
  • Musk has boasted SpaceX’s Starship for years as the firm aspires to ferry cargo and humans to the moon and Mars, and at about 400 feet tall, the rocket is considered the largest ever.
    — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of ferry
Verb
  • Tarik Skubal pitched seven dominant innings, Spencer Torkelson homered twice and drove in four runs, and the Detroit Tigers cruised to a 7-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • This is the cruise line’s first year cruising to Alaska, and our first time sailing with MSC.
    — Susan B. Barnes, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 July 2026
Definition of cruise
Verb
  • Your suit is still carrying your skin cells, body oils, sunscreen, and whatever else was floating around in the pool.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 July 2026
  • The team floated the idea to Nestlé’s global KitKat brand group, then gave its agency partner, VML, 24 hours to return with a concept.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 July 2026
Definition of float
Verb
  • The side of my fork could glide straight through the soft, fluffy stack.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
  • Silent and purposeful, the pelicans cut through a raucous chaos of gulls at the end of the wharf and glided on into the marsh.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of glide

Phrases Containing sail

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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 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sail

Nglish: Translation of sail for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sail

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