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
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital. Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025 The group said the boat, sailing under the Portuguese flag, sustained damage to its main deck and below-deck storage, but that no one was hurt. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Small crafts include owners of small to medium sized motor and sail boats, affecting fisherman, para-sailors, windsurfers and canoe paddlers. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025 Experts see little on the horizon that could take the wind out of gold's sails right now, with price forecasts holding firmly above $3,500 for the remainder of the year. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sail
Verb
  • Without that deal, the local boating company has had to scale back its service and move its dock farther down the Ohio River.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Enjoy swimming, boating from the marina, fishing, numerous hiking trails and camping facilities.
    Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Raft the Animas River Colorado’s world-famous whitewater includes the Animas River, which flows by Durango.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Alcaraz flowed forward behind a forehand, but chose to try to fool Djokovic by volleying back behind him, instead of into space.
    The Athletic Tennis Staff, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As for most of the tournament, Sinner’s first-serve percentage hovered around 50, and Auger-Aliassime took the initiative with flashing forehands and the bravery to go after his shots in baseline rallies.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In addition to the newfound in-state rivalry, a sense of nostalgia hovered over pregame activities.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • During the voyage, travelers can spend time spotting wildlife like Arctic foxes, whales, polar bears, and more, and explore the harsh landscape by zodiac boat, kayaking, and snowshoeing.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Broncos were incorporating new pieces and new offensive wrinkles into their maiden offensive voyage in 2025.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some protesters forced their way into the parliament complex by breaking through a barricade, a local official said, setting fire to an ambulance, hurling objects at riot police, and ferrying the injured to the hospital on motorcycles.
    Gopal Sharma, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Once Kelley starts visiting Göring’s wife and daughter, getting cozy, teaching Göring’s cute kiddo magic kids, and ferrying messages back and forth to boot, things get really sticky.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Unsurprisingly, Haas & Mehta cruised into the gold medal match from the top half after taking out the bracket favorite.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For cruising around town while keeping tabs on the surrounding potholes, traffic and pedestrians, however, many cyclists prefer the more commanding, upright, back-friendly stance offered by a flat handlebar.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Purdy scrambled to his right and floated a ball toward backup tight end Jake Tonges in the back of the end zone.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • There are a few self-balancing concepts floating about, including ones from Honda and Yamaha and this entirely self-driving scooter, but nothing's close to hitting the market anytime soon.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Thanks to the wide-leg cut and handy side pockets, wearing these make gliding through the airport feel like a breeze.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Location Anchored between Blackfriars Bridge and the Tate Modern, Sea Containers is a front-row perch to London’s cultural tide—where the Thames unfurls like a silver sash, ferries gliding past in a daily ballet of commuters and sightseers.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sail. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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