1
as in ships
a large craft for travel by water
a new ocean liner that claims to be the largest commercial vessel afloat
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2
as in boats
a small buoyant structure for travel on water
any vessel that is buoyant and steerable can be entered in the annual race down the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in containers
something into which a liquid or smaller objects can be put for storage or transportation
any watertight vessel can be used for mixing the paints
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vessels
With their imposing bulk, elegant curves, colorfully painted sterns, and ornate decorations, the vessels were among the most distinctive and beautiful ships on the seas.
—
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Lake Superior and Lake Michigan are expected to experience high waves and damaging ice accumulation onto vessels, and central Michigan is under a flood warning due to ice jams that could obstruct the waterways, causing flooding, according to the NWS.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Built for South Korea’s flagship shipping operator HMM, which operates about 90 vessels with a total capacity of roughly 950,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) the ship represents a new class of ultra-high-capacity car carriers.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Located just south of Navy Pier, the Harbor Lock functions like a water elevator to allow vessels to travel between the difference in elevations between the river and lake.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Commercial vessels, the armed forces in the Philippines, government agencies and local government units are also assisting with the operation.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Sea accidents are common in Philippine waters due to frequent storms, aging vessels, overcrowding and lax safety enforcement.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
The Houthis are responsible for the mass diversion of commercial vessels away from the Red Sea, having attacked vessels in the waterway with drones and missiles since late 2023.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
Danish and allied aircraft, naval vessels and ground units are expanding their presence on and around the island.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Lake Superior and Lake Michigan are expected to experience high waves and damaging ice accumulation onto vessels, and central Michigan is under a flood warning due to ice jams that could obstruct the waterways, causing flooding, according to the NWS.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Built for South Korea’s flagship shipping operator HMM, which operates about 90 vessels with a total capacity of roughly 950,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) the ship represents a new class of ultra-high-capacity car carriers.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Located just south of Navy Pier, the Harbor Lock functions like a water elevator to allow vessels to travel between the difference in elevations between the river and lake.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Commercial vessels, the armed forces in the Philippines, government agencies and local government units are also assisting with the operation.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Sea accidents are common in Philippine waters due to frequent storms, aging vessels, overcrowding and lax safety enforcement.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
The Houthis are responsible for the mass diversion of commercial vessels away from the Red Sea, having attacked vessels in the waterway with drones and missiles since late 2023.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
Danish and allied aircraft, naval vessels and ground units are expanding their presence on and around the island.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vessels
Noun
-
One of the advantages, according to Guzy, is access to smaller ports that larger ships can’t reach, like Lipari, one of the Aeolian Islands off Sicily.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
With their imposing bulk, elegant curves, colorfully painted sterns, and ornate decorations, the vessels were among the most distinctive and beautiful ships on the seas.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In 1884, the Ocklawaha boats were so crowded that some tourists skipped that excursion, the newspaper said.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Fishery observers are workers who collect data on board fishing boats for the government to use to inform regulations.—
Michael Casey,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Divide among bowls and top with more red pepper flakes, some flaky salt, and more butter.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Pets need more than food bowls and cameras.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The cold can also freeze liquids, crack containers and prompt chemical degradation.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Leftovers That Need Reheating Restaurants often provide single-use plastic containers for takeout orders and leftovers.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The view from the top of the castle looks down upon a glittering bay below, filled with mega-yachts and cruise ships.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Renowned British designer Malcolm McKeon, famous for creating elegant, unfussy sailing yachts, penned the exterior, combining the sleekness and balance of a sloop with the volume and comfort of a superyacht.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Lansdowne Irish Pub & Music House The Lansdowne Irish Pub & Music House to bring bold Irish flavors to Restaurant Week with a lineup of hearty, creative dishes.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Curated by, and co-owned with, wife Sarah, both with Greek-American roots, the restaurant serves delectable and elevated traditional dishes.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vessels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vessels. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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