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Definitions

lifeboat

[lahyf-boht] / ˈlaɪfˌboʊt /
NOUN
boat
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barge canoe catamaran craft dinghy gondola raft sailboat schooner ship yacht
STRONG
ark bark bottom bucket dory hulk ketch launch pinnace scow skiff sloop steamboat tub
WEAK
bateau
NOUN
dinghy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
life raft rowboat skiff
NOUN
pardon
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolution allowance amnesty clemency mercy remission reprieve
STRONG
acquittal anchor commute conciliation condonation discharge exculpation excuse exoneration forbearance freeing grace indemnification indemnity indulgence justification kindness lifesaver release vindication
Antonyms
STRONG
blame conviction hold
WEAK
chastisement condemnation damning ostracization penalty punishment
NOUN
raft
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barge boat life raft
STRONG
balsa float lighter pontoon
NOUN
release
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clemency discharge
STRONG
absolution acquittal acquittance charge commute deliverance emancipation exemption exoneration floater freedom freeing liberation liberty lifesaver manumission relief spring turnout walkout
Antonyms
STRONG
imprisonment incarceration restraint
WEAK
check collection gathering hold
NOUN
reprieve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abatement absolution amnesty clemency deferment pardon postponement remission respite suspension truce
STRONG
abeyance acquittal alleviation anchor clearance commute freeing lifesaver mitigation palliation release spring stay
WEAK
letup
Antonyms
STRONGEST
continuation
VERB
absolve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquit exempt exonerate forgive pardon relieve vindicate
STRONG
bleach clear discharge exculpate excuse free launder liberate loose release sanitize spare spring whitewash
WEAK
blink at go easy on let off let off easy let off the hook let up on set free wink at wipe it off wipe the slate clean write off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accuse blame censure charge condemn convict damn punish sentence
STRONG
hold keep limit restrain
WEAK
bind impeach incriminate obligate
VERB
pardon
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolve acquit discharge excuse exonerate tolerate
STRONG
accept amnesty clear condone exculpate free justify liberate overlook release remit reprieve rescue spring
WEAK
blink at bury the hatchet give absolution grant amnesty let off let off easy suspend charges wink at wipe the slate clean write off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame charge condemn convict hold incriminate sentence
STRONG
deny keep limit prevent refuse restrain
WEAK
chastise damn ostracize penalize punish

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But just as she gave up hope of help arriving, she heard the friendly voice of a lifeboat crew member.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

"What struck me wasn't necessarily just Earth, it was all the blackness around it. Earth was just this lifeboat hanging undisturbingly in the universe," said Koch.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

“The big question is, if the war actually ends fully by the end of the month, is that enough of a lifeboat that we really don’t see a ton of demand destruction?”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

For 40 minutes Monday, it was just them, their high-tech lifeboat and the moon.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The wandering boy stood up in our lifeboat, his tiny arms stretched up toward the ship.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys