seaman

noun

ˈsē-mən How to pronounce seaman (audio)
Definition of seamannext
as in sailor
one who operates or navigates a seagoing vessel a weathered old seaman who now captains a tour boat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 seaman These outposts were intended to be manned by British seamen armed with antiaircraft weaponry. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026 The South cried hypocrisy on slavery, given that the seamen of Providence, Rhode Island, played a central role in the Atlantic slave trade. — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Their drama is already stale, and between Nathan’s touchiness and Joe’s mistreatment of women, their fight over who is a better guy, a better seaman, a better worker, a better boyfriend is disengaging at best and aggravating at worst. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 June 2026 On the Black Council side, half-sister Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) continues to plot for the crown from Dragonstone with support of loyal son Jacaerys Velaryon (Collett) and in league by with master seaman Lord Corlys Velaryon (Toussaint). — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for seaman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seaman
  1. sailor
  2. mariner
  3. navigator
Noun
  • The United States has more than 50,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines stationed throughout Japan, including on several bases in Okinawa, an island chain in the south.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Chasing rumors, sailors left hundreds of ships abandoned in the harbor.
    — Richard Kreitner, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of sailor
Noun
  • Seas will also begin to lower as the nor'easter pulls away, but inexperienced mariners and small vessels are encouraged to stay docked on Monday as rough seas and gusty winds are still likely.
    — Sarah Wroblewski, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • For example, Kingsborough Community College, located in South Brooklyn, where the Sheepshead and Jamaica Bays meet the Atlantic Ocean, operates a maritime technology program that is training the next generation of local mariners.
    — Julie Raskin, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of mariner
Noun
  • The navigator also suggested the Orlando area’s Lynx transportation system, which Holmes said would cost his family money.
    — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026
  • And of the 93 Hope navigators on the payroll today, 54 were already working for DCF before the program launched in September 2021.
    — Sharmila Venkatasubban, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of navigator

Browse Nearby Words

sea-maids
seaman
seamed
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Cite this Entry

“Seaman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seaman. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on seaman

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seaman

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