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
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swabbie
Noun
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Cold winter conditions can complicate operations even for experienced sailors, Sawyer said.—
Michael Casey,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026 -
Now as sailors stepped out into the surf, a great crowd tried to take oars off the first sloop.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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In some districts, navigators focus on violence prevention or absenteeism.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
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Sinclair is probably the most adept living navigator of London’s subterranean currents.—
Hari Kunzru,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Swabbie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swabbie. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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