The waves crashed against the ship, sending spray high into the air.

Meaning: The waves hit the ship very hard and sent water droplets high into the air.

Choice of Words: Crash means to hit something with great force. Spray is a mist of water droplets. The waves hit the ship with great force and sent water droplets high into the air.

Alternative Expressions

The waves pounded the ship, showering the deck with salty mist.

Meaning: This sentence also describes the action of the waves hitting the ship, but it uses different words to emphasize the force of the waves and the effect they have on the ship and its deck.

Choice of Words: Pounded means to hit something repeatedly with great force. Deck is the flat surface of a ship where people walk and work. Salty means tasting like salt. Mist is a cloud of tiny water droplets that hangs in the air.

The tempestuous waves battered the ship, sending spume flying over the bow.

Meaning: This sentence uses more sophisticated language to describe the same action of the waves hitting the ship. It emphasizes the strength and fury of the waves and the impact they have on the ship.

Choice of Words: Tempestuous means stormy or violent. Battered means to hit something repeatedly and with force. Spume is a frothy mixture of air and water that is created when waves break. Bow is the front part of a ship.

Related Expressions