variants
also swabby
as in sailor
one who operates or navigates a seagoing vessel
the pirate captain cried, "Ahoy, me swabbies, 'tis time to hoist the Jolly Roger!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swabbie
Noun
-
Like people are trying their best to follow the letter of the law or the exact wording of these orders without completely outing their trans sailors.—
Lauren Hodges,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026 -
Though his injuries were severe, the sailors watched in wonder as the cat determinedly licked his wounds, then got back to work destroying the rats threatening the ship’s food stores.—
Anne Ewbank,
Popular Science,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Last week’s whale sightings by the Aquarium led the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to implement a voluntary slow speed zone called a Dynamic Management Area (DMA) for mariners to reduce their speed to 10 knots to protect the whales.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Wander the gear aisles where gadgets promise to turn anyone into a better mariner, chef, parent and human being.—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The navigator advised them to sign the paperwork and said the loss estimate could be adjusted later, Lowe said.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The shelter will be open only to Elk Grove residents or those with deep ties to the city, verified through a vetting process, and who receive referrals from the city’s homeless services navigators or police officers.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Swabbie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swabbie. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
