afloat

adjective or adverb

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\ ə-ˈflōt

Definition of afloat

1a : 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

3a : circulating about nasty stories were afloat

b : adrift

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about afloat

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Synonyms & Antonyms for afloat

Synonyms

floating

Antonyms

sinking,
sunk

Examples of afloat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The bill is the latest effort by the federal government to help keep afloat businesses that have had to close or dramatically alter their operations as states try to slow the spread of the virus. — Andrew Taylor, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump signs bill with nearly $500 billion more in pandemic relief," 24 Apr. 2020 On Friday, Trump signed a $484 billion bill to aid employers and hospitals under stress from the pandemic — the latest federal effort to help keep afloat businesses that have had to close or scale down. — BostonGlobe.com, "Amid anxiety, Georgia lets close-contact businesses reopen," 24 Apr. 2020 The prospect of news outlets turning to the government for financial assistance to keep afloat raises obvious questions about how organizations can maintain independence and objectivity. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, "Bipartisan support emerges for aid to ailing local news outlets amid pandemic," 23 Apr. 2020 The American vessels included the USS Paul Hamilton, a Navy destroyer and the USS Lewis B. Puller, a ship that serves as an afloat landing base. — Time, "Trump: Navy Should 'Shoot Down and Destroy' Iranian Gunboats That Harass U.S. Ships," 22 Apr. 2020 A year ago, the Orioles were somewhat afloat and without a permanent solution in baseball operations or a field staff in place. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "One year after the Victor Victor Mesa sweepstakes, the Orioles international program is in a much better place," 17 Oct. 2019 Must have kept her afloat in ways that family couldn’t. — Rosemary Mccarthy, BostonGlobe.com, "I learned about friendship by watching my mom and her friends at the kitchen table," 26 July 2019 The statement was made after it was announced that ABC and Roseanne’s cast and crew have been debating a way to keep the show’s brand afloat, including a possible spinoff with Darlene as the main character. — Morgan Enos, Billboard, "Sara Gilbert Says She 'Stands by the Decision ABC Made' to Cancel 'Roseanne'," 4 June 2018 But a proposal is afloat to restore lake herring in Lake Michigan. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Lake herring restoration is being considered for Lake Michigan," 3 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'afloat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.