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
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
Both candidates expressed frustration with trial penalties, but emphasized that plea bargains are necessary to keep the justice system afloat.
—Rafael Perez, Daily News, 25 May 2026
But a pandemic-era program is helping to keep it afloat as inflation worsens, while also aiming to create a new generation of seafood lovers.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 23 May 2026
In the show, LeBeouf — who is now mom to four — recounted the struggle of trying to stay afloat.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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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
Both candidates expressed frustration with trial penalties, but emphasized that plea bargains are necessary to keep the justice system afloat.
—Rafael Perez, Daily News, 25 May 2026
But a pandemic-era program is helping to keep it afloat as inflation worsens, while also aiming to create a new generation of seafood lovers.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 23 May 2026
In the show, LeBeouf — who is now mom to four — recounted the struggle of trying to stay afloat.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afloat. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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