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
Relevance
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
Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 June 2026
People go out in small dive boats and have a very intimate experience.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
From there, ferries, sailing charters, and private boats provide access to the islands.
—Katherine Lawless, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
At the scene, first responders found that a car had apparently gone off the road, crashed into several boulders and hit multiple boats before coming to a stop.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Since 2020, several West African boats have been found in the Caribbean and Latin America with only dead bodies on board after drifting across the Atlantic, pushed by trade winds and currents.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
In the interim, the Department of Water Resources is providing portage services for boats navigating the waterways.
—Reeti Malhotra
june 5, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
Things To Do Go To Bayfront Park Take a morning bike ride or stroll along Bayfront Park, which juts out towards the water and borders a marina of yachts and power boats.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Shipowners recently told Bloomberg that Iranian fast boats approached a group of vessels transiting through the strait, but turned away after helicopters suddenly appeared.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 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
To get around, ranchers relied on horses, boats, and remote airstrips, and access to goods and services was limited.
—Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 June 2026
People go out in small dive boats and have a very intimate experience.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
From there, ferries, sailing charters, and private boats provide access to the islands.
—Katherine Lawless, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
At the scene, first responders found that a car had apparently gone off the road, crashed into several boulders and hit multiple boats before coming to a stop.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Since 2020, several West African boats have been found in the Caribbean and Latin America with only dead bodies on board after drifting across the Atlantic, pushed by trade winds and currents.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
In the interim, the Department of Water Resources is providing portage services for boats navigating the waterways.
—Reeti Malhotra
june 5, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
Things To Do Go To Bayfront Park Take a morning bike ride or stroll along Bayfront Park, which juts out towards the water and borders a marina of yachts and power boats.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Shipowners recently told Bloomberg that Iranian fast boats approached a group of vessels transiting through the strait, but turned away after helicopters suddenly appeared.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 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
-
The journey is meant to revive a sea route not used for 300 years, and one that in the past could’ve been considered nearly impossible –– given the lack of maps and the crude vessels early navigators of the Bashi Channel once used.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Its fleet currently includes two vessels, its flagship Ultramarine and Ocean Explorer, with a third, World Voyager, scheduled to join in 2027.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Two other ships owned by Lan, priced at about $175,000 each, have also failed to find buyers.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
The event forced operators to cut daily transits from 36 ships to just 24.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Verb
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As the ship sails the Antarctic Peninsula, passengers go on excursions, such as taking a Zodiac or kayaking, to view wildlife and immerse themselves in nature.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
Before the quartet of late November and December holiday sailings begins, the ship sails an almost identical route along the Seine between March and November.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
There are around $4 billion’s worth of yachts anchored in Port Hercule over the Grand Prix weekend, including Faith, owned by Aston Martin’s billionaire Canadian chairman Lawrence Stroll.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
-
But nestled by the Mediterranean, surrounded by super yachts, F1’s least-good race is also its most famous and glamorous.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 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
-
Right then, with both canoes in plain sight, a moose showed up at the edge of the alders across the lake.—
Fred Bear,
Outdoor Life,
11 June 2026
-
There are also locations to rent snowshoes and canoes, and places to swim, picnic and ride a boat.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
At Aunty's Beach House, designed to feel like a family's real home, children ages 4 through 12 can sign up for activities such as games and crafts.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
My children still rave about The Playbarn, a play area for babies and toddlers that’s chockablock with toys, puzzles, costumes, and crafts.—
Lindsay Cohn,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Compared with tilted plastic rafts used in warmer climates, this design attaches flexible solar panels directly to thick, waterproof foam sheets, reducing wind exposure.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 June 2026
-
Bring sleeping bags, air mattresses, and pool rafts out as the seating and enjoy the show (with popcorn of course).—
Parents,
Parents,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boats. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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