1
as in commander
a person in overall command of a ship
the captain is responsible for everything that happens to his ship in the course of a voyage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commandant
one in official command especially of a military force or base
the captain of the largest army ever marshaled for battle in this country
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
we only do what the captain tells us to, so it's not our fault when things don't work out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tycoon
a person of rank, power, or influence in a particular field
a fascinating magazine article profiling the captains of the American auto industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to supervise
to be in charge of
if you do well on this, you'll be asked to captain the next mission
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to rule
to exercise authority or power over
captained the project for a few days while the boss was out of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to command
to serve as leader of
you did a good job of captaining the team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 captain
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Produced by former Colts QB Peyton Manning, this docuseries follows current Chiefs team captain Patrick Mahomes, then-Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, and former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota in its first season.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
After qualification matches, Gillbert managed to rank 4th and captained their own alliance.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captain
Noun
The lawsuit cited a police captain saying the mayor appeared impaired at the scene.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Produced by former Colts QB Peyton Manning, this docuseries follows current Chiefs team captain Patrick Mahomes, then-Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, and former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota in its first season.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
At the College of Idaho, Evans captained the soccer team while earning All-American and all-conference honors and majoring in political economy.
—Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
After qualification matches, Gillbert managed to rank 4th and captained their own alliance.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captain
Noun
-
Treatment was largely ad hoc and depended to a considerable degree on individual commanders, but customarily prisoners would be exchanged or placed on parole—granted their freedom but required by oath not to return to military action.—
Drew Gilpin Faust,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, was sent in to replace Greg Bovino, the controversial on-the-ground commander who critics say fueled conflict.—
Alicia Diaz,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Camp Lejeune’s commandant—a man who commanded both respect and wonder—hosted a reception to introduce us to base and community leadership.—
Jay Sloves,
Hartford Courant,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Washington — The Senate confirmed Admiral Kevin Lunday as Coast Guard commandant Thursday night after agency guidance on the display of hate symbols such as swastikas and nooses was clarified.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, senior leaders at Arizona State University were quietly hosting 30 leaders from Korean technical colleges to discuss how the United States might learn from their success in developing an AI-ready workforce.—
David Ignatius,
Washington Post,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But almost immediately after, scrappy rivals like Microsoft and Apple came along to chip away at IBM’s market leader status.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … ‘SERIOUS QUESTIONS’ — 'Marxist' tech tycoon's millions allegedly fund anti-American propaganda network.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hong Kong — Former Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, ending a years-long legal battle that has come to define Beijing’s transformational crackdown on the once-freewheeling financial hub.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Caring for a betta can help kids learn responsibility, routine, and empathy when adults guide and supervise the process.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
-
These workers keep companies running smoothly, often supervising multiple teams, the report says.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But last week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision ruled in the government’s favor.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The arbitrator was moved by his story but ruled against him anyway, denying him his last chance for a win of any kind at this year’s Olympics.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pikmin, the tremendous series of strategy games about a miniature spaceman commanding an army of tiny plant people around gardens, was inspired by his gardening fascination.—
Chris Plante,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But the film’s artistry — overflowing with excess and hedonism and an eye for commanding visuals — is impossible to dismiss.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Brown gives Espada autonomy on all lineup decisions, so the skipper’s words carry more cachet in this discussion.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That could be merely some wishful thinking from the skipper, or it could be informed by the workouts and progress Thomson has seen up close.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captain. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
