as in floating
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
claimed that the UFO hovered a moment, then spun off into space at incredible speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hovering
New Atlas, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Klaus pops up in the movie a few times like a hovering ghost.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
The index stood at 34 in May 2025, when mortgage rates were hovering around 7%.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Video shows the rescue team hovering above the mountain while thick clouds obscured the view of the landscape below.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Artemio spent a week in the hospital, his parents hovering over him.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
Beaches, a nomination shut-out, was down $44,518 to $475,601, with attendance at the Majestic hovering around the 50% of capacity mark.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Operating under an experimental permit, the mission successfully transitioned the hydrogen-electric Robinson R44 from basic hovering to a complete airport traffic circuit.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
Adjective
This is surprising for something that is supposed to require less hovering, especially if the host is out of hearing range of the device's alerts.
—New Atlas, 20 Feb. 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
Klaus pops up in the movie a few times like a hovering ghost.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
The index stood at 34 in May 2025, when mortgage rates were hovering around 7%.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Video shows the rescue team hovering above the mountain while thick clouds obscured the view of the landscape below.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Artemio spent a week in the hospital, his parents hovering over him.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
Beaches, a nomination shut-out, was down $44,518 to $475,601, with attendance at the Majestic hovering around the 50% of capacity mark.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Operating under an experimental permit, the mission successfully transitioned the hydrogen-electric Robinson R44 from basic hovering to a complete airport traffic circuit.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hovering
Verb
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The House Foreign Affairs Committee marked up 21 bills in a single session last month and eight separate, additional bills are floating around Congress related to advanced AI and export controls, including the Safe Chips Act and the Chip Security Act.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
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Designed by Carlo Mollino, the floating 1950s retreat retains many of the legendary Italian designer’s original interiors and custom furnishings.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
To maintain the immersive illusion, Iñárritu eschewed traditional hanging fabric.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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But a small number of ships with Iranian cargo are still sailing.—
Adina Renner,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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In addition, the action includes top-tier spider combat and awesome web-slinging and web-gliding traversal abilities.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Their days are spent swimming in the lake, picnicking by the beach and debating poetry and literature.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Adjective
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So my oldest, Richard, is super poised and has always sort of been the rock for our family.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Jones has played so well and has looked so poised, and the team has done such a solid job with him at the controls that there has been talk lately about a possible quarterback controversy brewing in the Bay Area.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hovering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hovering. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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