sail 1 of 2

1
as in to boat
to travel on water in a vessel I can't sail when there's any breeze at all because I get seasick easily

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2
3
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air a leaf sailed by, carried by the breeze

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sail

2 of 2

noun

as in voyage
a journey over water in a vessel we went for a brief sail on the bay to relax

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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 sail
Verb
For those who missed the 2024 edition, the next Love and Harmony Cruise sets sail from March 3 to March 8, 2025. Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Feb. 2025 Set to launch this year, the company's 14th ship will sail entirely off biofuel and wind and water propulsion. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
Admiring the historic architecture and nautical scenery is enough of a reason to venture down to the water alone, but Ball also recommends heading down to where the Selina II is docked and boarding for a sail on the Miles River and greater Chesapeake Bay. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025 Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard has wind in her sails ahead of Tuesday's Senate Intel Committee vote. Marc Caputo, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sail
Verb
  • During these inspections, officers often find other violations of the law, including boating under the influence of alcohol.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Dorsey first learned of Rivera’s disappearance from a family relative while grocery shopping, People reported, and sped 145 miles to Lake Piru, where Rivera and her son Josey went boating.
    Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Corporate news While investors wait for broad economic signs, company news continued to flow.
    Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Videos and photos of the bright orange lava flowing down the mountainside went viral after a group of hikers posted them on social media.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • These are hovering electric boat planes — known as electric hydrofoil craft — that will be able to dash over the water from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in just half an hour, with services expected from 2027.
    Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Photo : Trevor Melton Slatted ceilings hover above the study.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The vessel broke the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden voyage, crossing eastbound in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes at an average of more than 35 knots.
    Isabelle Taft, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Around 20 minutes into its maiden voyage the ship leaned – or heeled in nautical terms – to its port side after a gust of wind.
    Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • From the day their children are born, parents ferry them to and from medical offices, getting their immune systems boosted, teeth cleaned, eyes checked and stuffy noses decongested.
    Laura Williamson/American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The bodies of the Israeli hostages will be ferried by the International Committee of the Red Cross to Israeli forces.
    Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In 2018, Milton posted a video on X that showed the truck seemingly cruise down a flat road.
    From Reuters, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
  • In addition to being a model for cruising sustainably, the MS Roald Amundsen features an observation deck, a science center, three Nordic-style restaurants, an infinity pool, and hot tubs.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • There's already a shooting revealed in the Season 3 premiere, with at least one body floating in the water.
    Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
  • As usual, this year’s corpse is first seen floating in the resort’s waters, the better to conceal its identity.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Specs: One red light (630 nm) wavelength Best For: Brightening, diminishing dark spots, smoothing fine lines How to Use: Moving in an upward direction, glide the tool across hydrated skin on the jaw, cheeks, neck, forehead, under-eye area, and upper lip.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2025
  • And then there are flying squirrels, which don't actually fly, but use the flaps of skin between their legs to glide through the air.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sail. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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