as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
had a complaint and demanded to talk to the helmsman of this vast construction project, not some underling
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Recent Examples of helmsman
Burling, at 26, is the youngest helmsman to win sailing’s greatest prize in a competition that dates to 1851.
2021 — Tour de France: The largest pile up in Tour history is caused by a spectator with a sign during Stage 1.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
The Australian Spithill is a former skipper and helmsman for BMW Oracle Racing, winning the America’s Cup in 2010, defending the cup twice, both times against Emirates Team New Zealand, first successfully in 2013, and unsuccessfully in 2017.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
The helmsman, feeling swells beneath the vessel, gleans the proper heading, even in the dark.
—The Conversation, 14 May 2025
The umpires on the water will make subjective judgment calls that include deciding whether a collision was avoidable—that is, determining if the helmsman of one boat gave the other room and opportunity to maneuver to avoid the collision.
—Stan Honey, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2013
See All Example Sentences for helmsman
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
The Australian Spithill is a former skipper and helmsman for BMW Oracle Racing, winning the America’s Cup in 2010, defending the cup twice, both times against Emirates Team New Zealand, first successfully in 2013, and unsuccessfully in 2017.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
The helmsman, feeling swells beneath the vessel, gleans the proper heading, even in the dark.
—The Conversation, 14 May 2025
The umpires on the water will make subjective judgment calls that include deciding whether a collision was avoidable—that is, determining if the helmsman of one boat gave the other room and opportunity to maneuver to avoid the collision.
—Stan Honey, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2013
See All Example Sentences for helmsman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helmsman
Noun
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Conrad Weiser was a Pennsylvania German who had roamed the frontier for decades, learning the Indian languages and befriending Indian leaders, including some who encountered Washington in Ohio.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Alexey Maishev | Afp | Getty Images As Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to China, Moscow's leader will be keen not only to bolster ties with Beijing but also to extract key wins in areas of trade and energy.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Emerson Miller/Paramount+ The first two episodes of Dutton Ranch, the new Yellowstone spinoff featuring beloved couple Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, are now streaming, setting up a new adventure for John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) strong-willed daughter and his loyal foreman.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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Jai Courtney will play Rob-Will, a ranch foreman and one of Beulah Jackson’s henchmen.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Part of every production assistant’s job is to help their boss thin the screenplay slush pile.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Nevertheless, behind-the-scenes research will impress bosses and people in authority.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
In dog sports like obedience or agility, handlers are in charge, but in barn hunt, the dog is the team captain, said Robin Nuttall, who started the barn hunt in 2012 to prove that her miniature pinscher, Zipper, could root out vermin as she had been bred to do.—
Ross Mantle,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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The backstory Russia’s Novolazarevskaya Station is named for Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev, who was second-in-command of Fabian von Bellingshausen’s expedition of 1803–06, and captain of the supply ship Mirny.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
Noun
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Investigators are working to determine a motive, but the San Diego police chief described the killings as a possible hate crime.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
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The selection of Doral’s police chief falls under the authority of City Manager Zeida Sardiñas, though the City Council must approve the employment agreement.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Tremendously fierce to everyone and everything except each other and their master.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Now that she’s graduated with her business degree, the mom of four is planning on going back to school for her master’s in the fall.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Noun
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As the attack unfolded on Sunday morning, Ukraine’s commander of the Unmanned System Forces posted a message on his official Telegram account, addressed to the residents of Patriarchy, one of Moscow’s elite residential districts.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
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Prosecutors allege Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi served as a commander for Kata’ib Hizballah and worked with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
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In text messages between Musk and his employees, including OpenAI board member Shivon Zilis and a project director Sam Teller, Musk's team cheered the hire, according to correspondence made public in discovery.—
Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
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Pasricha’s wife Eiesha Pasricha is the de facto artistic director of the brand, also personally curating the retail at Gleneagles and the shop at Estelle Manor.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helmsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helmsman. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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