as in afloat
riding upon the surface of a body of liquid
the wreckage remained floating for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hovering
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
a canoe floating down the river particles of dust floating in the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wandering
to move about from place to place aimlessly
lost touch with a childhood friend who spent much of his adult life floating from place to place
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 floating
Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2023
This tablet also comes with a full-sized floating keyboard that resembles Apple’s iPad Air and Pro Magic Keyboard.
—Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026
Just days after his convictions were unanimously overturned in the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, prosecutors and defense attorneys are previewing major disputes over the death penalty, jury selection, financial-crimes evidence and floating an alternative suspect theory.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for floating
Adjective
The United States shot down three more floating objects in the following days, then announced that there was no sign that any of them were connected to China.
—Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2023
This tablet also comes with a full-sized floating keyboard that resembles Apple’s iPad Air and Pro Magic Keyboard.
—Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
Verb
If the lizard eats an apple, the bubbles get bigger, and if the lizard gets muddy, the bubbles sink instead of floating.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026
Just days after his convictions were unanimously overturned in the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, prosecutors and defense attorneys are previewing major disputes over the death penalty, jury selection, financial-crimes evidence and floating an alternative suspect theory.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for floating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floating
Adjective
-
When hard financial times hit the nation, Rosenwald used his own money to keep the company and his co-workers afloat.—
Edie Kasten,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Some schools fail to stay financially afloat in today’s challenging environment.—
Anna Esaki-Smith,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
These sausage bites are the appetizer that will keep crowds hovering around the buffet table.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
-
Throughout the evening, Sting — in tight black leather pants, a white graphic T-shirt, and chunky black boots — never appeared winded, never reached for water, never dabbed sweat with a towel despite temperatures still hovering in the 80s well after sunset.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Again, no details, and fans' minds are wandering as far as this being an arena or battle royale mode, but that would be a little surprising.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
While strolling through Central Park in 1987, Honda spotted the artist wandering with no guards and an elderly woman by her side.—
Julius Miller
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The pair finished up with Colbert sending a congratulatory cake from the network – a multi-layered wedding-style beast – sailing downward.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
-
But a small number of ships with Iranian cargo are still sailing.—
Adina Renner,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Within the past two years, there have been instances of cows roaming away from their farms.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
The city belongs to law-abiding residents, not roaming mobs looking to make a name for themselves or to contribute to the chaos or violence, and to get social media attention.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Medet Zheenaliev, 30, spotted four girls swimming in Lake Issyk-Kul in his home country of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday, and one of them was reportedly pulled under the current.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
Their days are spent swimming in the lake, picnicking by the beach and debating poetry and literature.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
In another image, Brown was photographed floating underwater in a pool, her dark hair drifting across the bright blue water as sunlight reflected across the surface.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
The same report notes that Hilton publicly disputes Becerra’s assertion of front-runner status by citing polls indicating a tight race, underscoring that the campaigns are aggressively contesting the narrative rather than drifting in ambiguity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
After cruising to a 12-5 record with an NFC Championship Game appearance in 2024, the Commanders fell apart, physically and otherwise, in 2025.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Sheehan was cruising along in the fifth inning, having allowed just one hit – a bloop single – in the first four.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Floating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
