1
as in cruising
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
2
as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
sailed through the latest assignment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in floating
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
a leaf sailed by, carried by the breeze
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sailing
ABC News, 13 May 2026
The cruise ship is now sailing with a crew of 25 and two Dutch medical professionals to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where it is expected to arrive on May 17 and will be thoroughly disinfected, according to Oceanwide Expeditions, the company that owns the ship.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
World Health Organization director general Tedros Ghebreyesus said at a press conference on Tuesday that all the passengers have left the ship and will be monitored; the boat itself is sailing to the Netherlands.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
The ban will affect passengers sailing on Utopia of the Seas, which visits Nassau on Tuesday, plus Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas in port at CocoCay.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sailing
Verb
The ship is now sailing to the Dutch port of Rotterdam with 25 crew, two health workers and the body of one of the passengers who died on board.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
The cruise ship is now sailing with a crew of 25 and two Dutch medical professionals to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where it is expected to arrive on May 17 and will be thoroughly disinfected, according to Oceanwide Expeditions, the company that owns the ship.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
World Health Organization director general Tedros Ghebreyesus said at a press conference on Tuesday that all the passengers have left the ship and will be monitored; the boat itself is sailing to the Netherlands.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
The ban will affect passengers sailing on Utopia of the Seas, which visits Nassau on Tuesday, plus Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas in port at CocoCay.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sailing
Adjective
-
This is surprising for something that is supposed to require less hovering, especially if the host is out of hearing range of the device's alerts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After cruising to a 12-5 record with an NFC Championship Game appearance in 2024, the Commanders fell apart, physically and otherwise, in 2025.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Sheehan was cruising along in the fifth inning, having allowed just one hit – a bloop single – in the first four.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Customers should expect an ROI within 12 months or less after implementing the Locus Array depending on the speed of deployment and the types of SKUs flowing through the system, Peterson said.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
Hosting a dinner party is infinitely more enjoyable with a partner in crime to help curate the playlist and the guest list, keep the conversation and the drinks flowing, and take a load off the planning.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The House Foreign Affairs Committee marked up 21 bills in a single session last month and eight separate, additional bills are floating around Congress related to advanced AI and export controls, including the Safe Chips Act and the Chip Security Act.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
Designed by Carlo Mollino, the floating 1950s retreat retains many of the legendary Italian designer’s original interiors and custom furnishings.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
In addition, the action includes top-tier spider combat and awesome web-slinging and web-gliding traversal abilities.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Paul later pleads not guilty to felony charges of boating under the influence and causing Beach's death.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
13 May 2026
-
Paul was indicted on felony counts, including boating under the influence, and pleaded not guilty, but was shot to death before he was tried.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Smoke from the Max Road Fire was drifting north and northwest Monday morning due to a light southeast breeze.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
The moon spends the day drifting through the numinous and intuitive sign of Pisces, pulling our attention inward.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Medet Zheenaliev, 30, spotted four girls swimming in Lake Issyk-Kul in his home country of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday, and one of them was reportedly pulled under the current.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
Their days are spent swimming in the lake, picnicking by the beach and debating poetry and literature.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sailing. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
