sailor

noun

ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
Definition of sailornext
as in mariner
one who operates or navigates a seagoing vessel the sailors were glad to be arriving in port after their long voyage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 sailor Most dramatic was the plight of the USS Abraham Lincoln and its sailors. — John Seiler, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026 Two cargo ships came under attack in Hormuz last week resulting in the deaths of two sailors. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 The aircraft carrier has also been at the center of reports of morale issues and subpar conditions faced by sailors. — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Joshua Aviles, the sailor, posted on Facebook on behalf of the family that his dad, Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, had been released. — Laura Romero, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sailor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sailor
  1. mariner
  2. navigator
  3. seaman
Noun
  • Spanish authorities have issued recommendations for mariners intended to reduce risks to both the animals and people aboard vessels.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The terrain is varied, both spiritual and physical, and seems to cover land and sea, thanks to Current 93’s mariner-like contributions.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of mariner
Noun
  • That navigator works to understand their needs and challenges, and then provides tailored recommendations.
    — Hillary Lum, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Ricki Fairley, co-founder of Touch, the Black Breast Cancer Alliance, recommended first finding a patient navigator at the hospital or cancer center to assist you.
    — Lauren Sausser, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of navigator
Noun
  • Hernandez was charged with two counts of misconduct of a ship officer resulting in death under the seaman’s manslaughter statute and released on a $50,000 bond at his presentment in Manhattan federal court two days after the incident.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Yusiel Lopez Insua, 47, of Miami, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to seaman’s manslaughter, according to court records.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of seaman

Browse Nearby Words

sail into
sailor
sailors
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sailor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sailor. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All