1
as in commander
a person in overall command of a ship the captain is responsible for everything that happens to his ship in the course of a voyage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in commandant
one in official command especially of a military force or base the captain of the largest army ever marshaled for battle in this country

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3
4

captain

2 of 2

verb

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 captain
Noun
The Patriots are planning to release longtime center and captain David Andrews on Thursday, a source confirmed to the Herald. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025 Mary, too, served in the Army from 2016 to 2020, also leaving as a captain. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Crosby, less than 48 hours after captaining Canada to yet another international championship, scored in the Penguins’ return to action from the 4 Nations Face-Off, but that goal wasn’t nearly enough to thwart the high-flying Washington Capitals. Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025 Family Friendliness: There’s room for everyone to stretch out and relax the Enclave: center row captains chairs—there is no center bench option— make the third row easy to reach. Scotty Reiss, Parents, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for captain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captain
Noun
  • Watauga police are conducting a criminal investigation into the animal cruelty and encourage anyone with information to contact the animal services commander at www.cowtx.org/tips, according to the statement.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Haugh is also the commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, which has reportedly faced new eyebrow-raising mandates around its Russian operations.
    Sam Sabin, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The shakeup comes in the wake of the abrupt firing of Admiral Linda Fagan, who served as the first female commandant.
    Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Years later, General Michael Hagee, who was the commandant of the Marine Corps at the time of the shootings, bragged to an oral historian that the press still hadn’t got hold of graphic photos of the killings’ aftermath.
    Parker Yesko, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The Olympic Journey: Failure In 2008 Elana had finished an outstanding college softball career at GWU as the all-time leader in many offensive categories.
    Tim Genske, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Russian drone attack sparks massive blazes in Odesa The strike came shortly before Czech Republic President Peter Pavel visited Odesa early Friday morning and held meetings with the city’s leaders and officials from other southern regions.
    ILLIA NOVIKOV, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Elliot has conscripted Ridley to join him for a weekend with Odell, a dying tycoon (played by Richard E. Grant in a Saltburn–esque role) who is preparing to name a proxy for his company’s board.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In the twilight of the gilded age, the show starts with a murder that strikes the estate of an eccentric and failing tycoon.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And another question: Isn’t anyone supervising the people who design these things?
    Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Environmental Protection Agency staff members across the country have been told by supervisors they are prohibited from communicating with grantee partners they are supposed to supervise and monitor, according to multiple sources inside the EPA and others working directly with the agency.
    MaryAlice Parks, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The federal judge granted the restraining order on Saturday, ruling that the administration can’t remove the five plaintiffs for two weeks so the judge can first hold a hearing on their challenge.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 15 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to being ruled by the messenger planet, Mercury retrograde in your 11th house of associations, networks and community affairs could make the group chat a tad bit chaotic.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Weaver says that despite United’s poor form, the club is still commanding top-end commercial revenues for shirt sponsorships.
    Steve Price, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Off-screen, however, Bibb is commanding the spotlight in a different way: Her stealthy-chic style during the show’s press tour has been worth taking note of.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In Season 1, under skipper Rome Kirby, the US came last in the fledgling six-fleet championship.
    Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • There is also an unknown over the futures of skipper Rohit Sharma and talisman Virat Kohli in this format.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Captain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captain. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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