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
If there’s any big bugaboo in his profile, he can be beaten by higher-end velocity, but his ability to adjust to secondary offerings keeps him afloat.
—
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
The man, who has not been identified, was last seen in the water after assisting a woman who had been struggling to stay afloat.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 June 2026
The Yankees haven’t always stayed afloat when Judge gets hurt; the 2023 season is a prime example.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
Myron reached the man and kept him afloat until help arrived, the wife said.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
The artist behind the series descended into poverty following the breakdown that left her unable to paint; years later her teen daughter, Indigo, herself a gifted artist, is barely keeping the two of them afloat.
—Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
The Thunder need to win the 3-point battle and his big shooting nights have been what’s kept them afloat.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Like many restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic, Verdes El Ranchero depended on the neighborhood to keep it afloat.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
This poses a huge threat to communities around the nation and due to the gap in these critical roles, infrastructure and local businesses are struggling to stay afloat.
—Rose Van Alstine, Fortune, 26 May 2026
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Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
The man, who has not been identified, was last seen in the water after assisting a woman who had been struggling to stay afloat.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 June 2026
The Yankees haven’t always stayed afloat when Judge gets hurt; the 2023 season is a prime example.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
Myron reached the man and kept him afloat until help arrived, the wife said.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
The artist behind the series descended into poverty following the breakdown that left her unable to paint; years later her teen daughter, Indigo, herself a gifted artist, is barely keeping the two of them afloat.
—Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
The Thunder need to win the 3-point battle and his big shooting nights have been what’s kept them afloat.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Like many restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic, Verdes El Ranchero depended on the neighborhood to keep it afloat.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
This poses a huge threat to communities around the nation and due to the gap in these critical roles, infrastructure and local businesses are struggling to stay afloat.
—Rose Van Alstine, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afloat. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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