afloat
adjective or adverb
1
a
: borne on or as if on the water
b
: being at sea
2
: free of difficulties : self-sufficient
the inheritance kept them afloat for years
3
a
: circulating about
Silly rumors were afloat.
b
: adrift
Examples of afloat in a Sentence
the boat can't stay afloat much longer
Recent Examples on the Web
Although the portion of the aircraft that first hit the water suffered severe damage and ruptured, allowing water to enter the cabin, the plane remained afloat, in part due to its partially empty fuel tanks, per Brittancia.
—
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Yet instead of meaningful budget reforms, the state quietly raised the tax burden on small businesses that are already struggling to stay afloat.
—Ryan Gonzalez, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
As customers continue to show up, the family that owns and operates the bakery is fighting to stay afloat.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
The return of Wagner couldn’t come at a better time for Jamahl Mosley‘s squad that is working to remain afloat as injuries to Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and other key players have piled up.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Many had to navigate complicated insurance claims and apply for emergency loans to stay afloat.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Santa Clara County’s investment in new health care services comes as its bracing for devastating federal cuts to Medicaid revenues that are key to keeping the system afloat.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Investigations explained how decisions made in Washington ripple outward — to farmers, veterans, federal workers and families struggling to stay afloat.
—Thomas Evans, NPR, 22 Dec. 2025
More and more people are working second and third jobs to supplement their income and stay afloat.
—Essence, 19 Dec. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Yet instead of meaningful budget reforms, the state quietly raised the tax burden on small businesses that are already struggling to stay afloat.
—Ryan Gonzalez, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
As customers continue to show up, the family that owns and operates the bakery is fighting to stay afloat.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
The return of Wagner couldn’t come at a better time for Jamahl Mosley‘s squad that is working to remain afloat as injuries to Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and other key players have piled up.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Many had to navigate complicated insurance claims and apply for emergency loans to stay afloat.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Santa Clara County’s investment in new health care services comes as its bracing for devastating federal cuts to Medicaid revenues that are key to keeping the system afloat.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Investigations explained how decisions made in Washington ripple outward — to farmers, veterans, federal workers and families struggling to stay afloat.
—Thomas Evans, NPR, 22 Dec. 2025
More and more people are working second and third jobs to supplement their income and stay afloat.
—Essence, 19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afloat. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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