1
as in commanders
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commandants
one in official command especially of a military force or base
the captain of the largest army ever marshaled for battle in this country
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in leaders
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
we only do what the captain tells us to, so it's not our fault when things don't work out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tycoons
a person of rank, power, or influence in a particular field
a fascinating magazine article profiling the captains of the American auto industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in supervises
to be in charge of
if you do well on this, you'll be asked to captain the next mission
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in rules
to exercise authority or power over
captained the project for a few days while the boss was out of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in commands
to serve as leader of
you did a good job of captaining the team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captains
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Sydney Lynch and Yorna Demiri, both senior captains for Peabody, were integral in the team’s victory.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Some football teams follow the lead of their captains.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Think of your favorite leaders, whether political icons, sports captains, or CEOs.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
At the captains’ dinner and throughout 2024, Nix earned the credibility in his locker room to struggle.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2025
Young is one of the Panthers’ three permanent captains this season and the only one on offense.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
Vera-Tucker was voted as one of the Jets’ six team captains at the end of August for the first time in his career.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Detroit Lions have decided on their team captains for the upcoming season.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Strong interest from Brazil’s Palmeiras had a certain appeal — Paraguay team-mates Ramon Sosa and Gustavo Gomez, who captains club and country, are with the Sao Paulo side — but the preference, for Enciso and his camp, was to remain in Europe.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Once the final direct qualifiers have been determined, captains Bradley and Luke Donald must select the remaining six members of their teams.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Gracely, who usually captains larger vessels—oil tankers, container ships—described a stretch when the boat ran on battery power down the Atchafalaya River.
—Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
Nine other members of the American team are there, under the watchful eye of Bradley and his vice-captains.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Sydney Lynch and Yorna Demiri, both senior captains for Peabody, were integral in the team’s victory.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Some football teams follow the lead of their captains.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Think of your favorite leaders, whether political icons, sports captains, or CEOs.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
At the captains’ dinner and throughout 2024, Nix earned the credibility in his locker room to struggle.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2025
Young is one of the Panthers’ three permanent captains this season and the only one on offense.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
Vera-Tucker was voted as one of the Jets’ six team captains at the end of August for the first time in his career.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Detroit Lions have decided on their team captains for the upcoming season.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
And, John Kraus, who captains the Spirit, is ready.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Strong interest from Brazil’s Palmeiras had a certain appeal — Paraguay team-mates Ramon Sosa and Gustavo Gomez, who captains club and country, are with the Sao Paulo side — but the preference, for Enciso and his camp, was to remain in Europe.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Once the final direct qualifiers have been determined, captains Bradley and Luke Donald must select the remaining six members of their teams.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Gracely, who usually captains larger vessels—oil tankers, container ships—described a stretch when the boat ran on battery power down the Atchafalaya River.
—Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captains
Noun
-
This cannot be a coincidence, a mistake, or the initiative of some lower-level commanders.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
-
By the summer of 2022, systems like the Bayraktar TB2 became less effective as air defenses increased and commanders began spreading their forces apart.—
Joseph Nepomuceno,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
European leaders have accused Russia of sending drones into Polish airspace to test the NATO alliance’s readiness.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
However, fewer than 10% of finance leaders surveyed have fully integrated or scaled AI accounting and finance use cases across their functions and organizations.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Not dabblers in the slave trade, tycoons of the slave trade.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
At Evergrande’s listing party in 2009, Hui was joined by many of Hong Kong’s tycoons, including Cheng Yu-tung, the late founder of Hong Kong property giant New World Development, and Chinese Estates’ founder Joseph Lau.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In this photo, mama, who liked posing for the camera, supervises her litter of kittens.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Cucinelli supervises the company’s image and communication, especially through social platforms, and has greatly contributed to reach out to the younger generations.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Once again, rumore rules over all, to the amusement of the diners.—
Jonathan Hawkins,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In a rare move, the panel in Atlanta also voted 2-1 to stop the environmental groups’ case from proceeding in Miami federal court until the appeals court rules on the merits of the state’s request to lift the judge’s injunction.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The title also commands the Billboard 200 as well as the Top Streaming Albums and Vinyl Albums tallies at the same time.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The roster also includes Bhojpuri film star Pawan Singh, who commands a massive fan following, and accomplished athlete Sangeeta Phogat.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Bamboo basket boats swirl through the Bay Mau nipa palm forest—their skippers casting nets in the shade of swaying fronds.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Plants bloom throughout most of the year, attracting a diversity of skippers and butterflies, including Queens and the endangered Miami blue butterfly.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As far as the executive suite, the new Paramount under motion picture bosses Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg has yet to find its new identity and make its mark.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Relations with bosses and people in authority will go well.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captains. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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