1
as in vessels
a small buoyant structure for travel on water
paddling the little boat across the lake is great exercise, but tiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ships
a large craft for travel by water
you'll have to take a passenger boat to get to the island
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in sails
to travel on water in a vessel
boated to the picnic site on an island in the bay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of boats
Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
One 40-year-old based in South Africa, who requested to remain anonymous, recently splashed out on a BGX63 after owning several smaller boats in the 28–37 foot range.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2026
That is, Iran held the Strait of Hormuz hostage by attacking tankers with fast boats and drones and by bombing its Gulf states neighbors and their energy infrastructure.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Israel's foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats on Thursday.
—May 1, CBS News, 1 May 2026
California laws generally dictate tax rates, but the assessor handles appeals, implements tax breaks and also finds new properties to assess — not just houses but also business holdings, boats and aircraft.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Its bustling atmosphere and boats ferrying tourists around testify to the city's lasting appeal.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Developers are mostly focused on creating 16-foot boats that can be quickly reconfigured for a variety of missions and can be acquired for less than $1 million each.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The race’s first launch was on April 23, 1947, with 117 boats and 65 finishers.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Kennebunkport, Maine Lobster boats bob in the waves and beachcombers search for shells.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
Volunteers set out in small boats to make sure that the whale didn’t get stuck again.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
One 40-year-old based in South Africa, who requested to remain anonymous, recently splashed out on a BGX63 after owning several smaller boats in the 28–37 foot range.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2026
That is, Iran held the Strait of Hormuz hostage by attacking tankers with fast boats and drones and by bombing its Gulf states neighbors and their energy infrastructure.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Israel's foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats on Thursday.
—May 1, CBS News, 1 May 2026
California laws generally dictate tax rates, but the assessor handles appeals, implements tax breaks and also finds new properties to assess — not just houses but also business holdings, boats and aircraft.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Its bustling atmosphere and boats ferrying tourists around testify to the city's lasting appeal.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Developers are mostly focused on creating 16-foot boats that can be quickly reconfigured for a variety of missions and can be acquired for less than $1 million each.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The race’s first launch was on April 23, 1947, with 117 boats and 65 finishers.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Shrimp boats bob in the harbor, American flags flutter from pastel porches and old oak trees draped in Spanish moss offer cool shade.
—Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Kennebunkport, Maine Lobster boats bob in the waves and beachcombers search for shells.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boats
Noun
-
Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, said Kyiv had informed Israeli authorities about the vessels in advance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Since the beginning of the war, nearly 800 vessels have been stuck in a holding pattern near the passage, impacting about 20,000 mariners.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the dramatic disruption, a small number of ships are still coming in and out of the Persian Gulf via the strait.—
Henrik Pettersson,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The two new ships represent the sixth and seventh additions to the Icon class.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Where Silver Origin Sails Silver Origin sails two seven-night itineraries—North and South—each revealing a different side of the archipelago.—
David Morris,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The boat sails from Genoa in complete darkness, a precaution against air raids.—
Marcy Thompson,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To top it off, the X-Shinobi yachts are equipped with hybrid diesel-electric propulsion systems, ensuring a quiet and fume-free cruising experience for guests while helping to reduce the environmental impact of marine tourism.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
1 May 2026
-
So many of celebrity culture’s finest moments have taken place on or around yachts in recent years.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The blockage of the strait, which normally ferries 20% of the world's oil, sent global energy prices soaring.—
Kevin Breuninger,Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Iran has effectively halted trade traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, the maritime trade route that ferries roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pão de queijo, as moreish as popcorn, manioc gnocchi, rock-pool sea urchins and Tainha fish, caught by local fishermen who still use traditional canoes and spears, are all served on banana leaves on a wooden table outdoors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The tour ends at the Scar Trees, which are a group of trees that had their bark removed by Aboriginal Peoples for various purposes, including crafting items like canoes or shields.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Enjoy archery, shooting water rockets, tomahawk throwing, exploring fire trucks, racing pinewood derby cars, slacklining, crafts, life-size mazes and more with on-site food trucks offering a variety of cuisines or enjoy your own picnic lunch.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Participants helped plant trees and made crafts.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The plane’s pieces are now, in effect, life rafts (though there are some actual oversize yellow inflatable rafts aboard that will come into play).—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The rafts have to be able to withstand exposure for 30 days, according to a code put out by the International Maritime Organization.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boats. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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