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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
Each boat has a crew of five members, consisting of a helmsman, wing-trimmer, flight controller and two grinders.
—Jane Tyska, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2025
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
Each boat has a crew of five members, consisting of a helmsman, wing-trimmer, flight controller and two grinders.
—Jane Tyska, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helmsman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helmsman
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
-
Rebecca will also meet Tom's foreman, Nash McCabe (Brad Abramenko), and his wife, Peggy (Chelsea Hobbs).—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Magaña shows him how to maneuver the blade around a thick trunk, as the foreman kicks it loose.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Your ability to charm bosses and VIPs will be excellent.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Her mother lost her job because her boss is uncomfortable employing someone with an ankle monitor.—
Mica Rosenberg,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The pivotal match came in the 190-class between Ramona senior captain Kaitlyn Peck and Imperial’s Yarely Vasquez, the top seed.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Hannah Bilka scored twice, and the United States’ youth and speed overwhelmed a Canadian women’s hockey team missing its captain in a 5-0 win at the Milan Cortina Games.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The report was filed in April 2020, and the chief’s name was revealed to be Michael Reiter years later.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Despite the long history of elite WTA players mastering the art of the moonball, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber chief among them, sending tennis balls into the atmosphere still draws out the sport’s eternal, often cursed relationship between style and ethics.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The center will introduce a new bachelor’s degree in space physics and data science, and a new fast-track master’s degree.—
Samuel O’Neal
February 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Holmes, the master scholar-biographer of Coleridge and Shelley, is ideally qualified for such a gig.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
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
-
If the director and board both agree the investigation showed police policy was violated, the Cincinnati city manager will make a final decision regarding punishment, if warranted.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Directors Guild honor is a key indicator of success in the best director category at the Academy Awards on March 15.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helmsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helmsman. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
