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.

Five astronauts had briefly entered the docked Dragon spacecraft as a precautionary measure -- the capsule functions as a lifeboat of sorts in the case an evacuation is needed.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

For Katherine Diaz of Torrance, the “KPop Demon Hunters” craze has been a welcome lifeboat.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

First class passenger Laura Mabel Francatelli, who was one of about 700 people to survive the tragedy in 1912, used the vest before entering a lifeboat.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

The voice belonged to Scott Brown, a crew member on the D-class inshore lifeboat that had been searching for Mandy after receiving multiple 999 calls.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

‘I’m sure we’ll never get there! Which lifeboat do we go to when it starts to sink?’

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl

lifeboat

Example Sentences

Related Words