1
as in ships
a large craft for travel by water
a new ocean liner that claims to be the largest commercial vessel afloat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 vessels
However, Iran’s UN Mission said in a post on X that ‘non-hostile vessels, including those belonging to or associated with other states’ may obtain ‘safe passage’ through the Strait of Hormuz via coordination with Tehran.
—
Joseph Wilkins,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
The exercise included multi-wave saturation attacks on enemy vessels attempting to evade detection by using nearby islands and reefs as cover.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
At least two vessels transiting the strait have paid Iran for safe passage, maritime shipping publication Lloyd’s List reported on Monday.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026
And while more than one thousand ships are idle, unable to go through the Strait of Hormuz due to Iranian attacks on vessels, a few are getting through the economically vital waterway.
—Jackie Northam, NPR, 24 Mar. 2026
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz that connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world, while claiming safe passage for vessels from countries other than its enemies.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
With Iran threatening to strike vessels that attempt to navigate the strait, at least five oil- and gas-carrying tankers have already been targeted by Iranian strikes in the Persian Gulf, according to an ABC News analysis.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Northwest winds of 15 to 25 knots, with gusts up to 30 knots, and waves of 5 to 8 feet are forecasted, creating hazardous conditions for small vessels.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Once the sealing plug has melted, the salt flows into storage vessels underneath the reactor and the nuclear fission process stops.
—Big Think, 3 Jan. 2025
Joseph Wilkins,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
The exercise included multi-wave saturation attacks on enemy vessels attempting to evade detection by using nearby islands and reefs as cover.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
At least two vessels transiting the strait have paid Iran for safe passage, maritime shipping publication Lloyd’s List reported on Monday.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026
And while more than one thousand ships are idle, unable to go through the Strait of Hormuz due to Iranian attacks on vessels, a few are getting through the economically vital waterway.
—Jackie Northam, NPR, 24 Mar. 2026
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz that connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world, while claiming safe passage for vessels from countries other than its enemies.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
With Iran threatening to strike vessels that attempt to navigate the strait, at least five oil- and gas-carrying tankers have already been targeted by Iranian strikes in the Persian Gulf, according to an ABC News analysis.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Northwest winds of 15 to 25 knots, with gusts up to 30 knots, and waves of 5 to 8 feet are forecasted, creating hazardous conditions for small vessels.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Once the sealing plug has melted, the salt flows into storage vessels underneath the reactor and the nuclear fission process stops.
—Big Think, 3 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vessels
Noun
-
Soon a tunnel between the ships, then a meeting, with a friendly, inquisitive alien who looks like a sort of craggy spider/crab, whom Grace dubs Rocky.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
-
But Iran’s attacks on ships using the strait that are not its own have stopped that supply of oil, even fertilizer, upending those and other markets around the world.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The lock and dam complex is part of a waterway system that allows boats to move from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The boats will be returning to McCovey Cove, the garlic is being freshly chopped for the fries, and the gorgeous, unmistakable mix of grass, dirt, brick, wind and water at Oracle Park is nearly ready to welcome us back for another season of Giants baseball.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Teriyaki Madness extra points From March 23 to March 29, Teriyaki Madness Mad Rewards members can earn 2X points on Double Protein bowls.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Divide cacio e pepe among warm bowls; season with more pepper.—
Hana Asbrink,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Residents and visitors are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Healthy soil leads to healthy plants, so opt for a quality potting mix for containers and consider adding compost for extra nutrients.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Four Seasons 1 officially joins the small but growing world of residential yachts that include the three Ritz-Carlton vessels—Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara—that have been under way for at least a year, and the field will soon include offerings from Aman and Orient Express.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Robinhood, which was founded on the idea of democratizing access to investing, has always played on the popular resentment of wealthy investor-insider types who might be partying on yachts with Tenev today.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For dinner, return to Remington Hall or check out the restaurant’s more casual wing, The Lounge for a burger and beer—both with delicious dishes from Chef Marc Marrone.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
While steeped in tradition, her recipes feel modern too, finding brightness through herby, vinegar-laden sauces that top seasonal dishes.—
The Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vessels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vessels. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
