rudder

[ruhd-er] / ˈrʌd ər /

NOUN

guide

Synonyms

STRONGEST

counselor mentor model pilot teacher

STRONG

adviser attendant captain chaperon cicerone conductor controller convoy criterion design director docent escort example exemplar exhibitor genie genius guru ideal inspiration lead leader lodestar monitor paradigm pathfinder pattern pioneer scout standard superintendent usher vanguard

WEAK

guiding spirit

Antonyms

STRONG

follower

NOUN

helm

Synonyms

STRONG

command control controls leadership reins tiller

WEAK

driver's seat steering wheel

NOUN

tail

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back end rear

STRONG

appendage empennage end extremity reverse stub tag tailpiece train

WEAK

caudal appendage fag end hind end hind part hindmost part last part tag end wagger

Antonyms

STRONG

beginning front start

WEAK

head

NOUN

tail end

Synonyms

WEAK

appendage behind butt end buttocks caudal appendage conclusion empennage end extremity fag end hind end hind part hindmost part last part posterior rear rear end rump stub tag end tailpiece tush wagger

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.

A nation without stories is a boat without a rudder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship was to depart from Northern Ireland last May, but issues with its rudder stocks meant its guests were marooned in the city for more than four months.

From BBC • May 11, 2025

I’ve got rudder pedals on the floor and all these controls.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2025

Mangione’s Twitter/X account is a kaleidoscopic fever dream with no clear ideological rudder.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024

I crank the tiller to turn us away from them—but slowly this time so that the rudder won’t moan.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

rudder

Example Sentences

Related Words