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
While startups await the president’s signature and agencies anticipate the bill’s new provisions, researchers are trying to stay afloat, some furloughing scientists until the funding becomes available.
—
Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
Especially for the wholesale buying fashion designers who may keep this passion project afloat.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
The roadside restaurant stayed afloat first through the persistence of locals and, over time, thanks to business from eager tourists seeking the freshest fish.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The case involves the recent indictment of Nye County Republican Commissioner Leonardo Blundo, who is accused of committing fraud against a government program that gave small businesses loans to keep them afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
But for all the strong words, analysts say the effort appears aimed at keeping the economy afloat rather than boosting it.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Cars were still given as parting gifts for retired employees, and hundreds of thousands of dollars continued to be spent on promotional events and videos — all while membership continued its downward spiral and the union’s pension fund struggled to stay afloat.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
The irregular migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented migrants, precariously – and often fatally – trying to reach Europe in anything afloat, desperate in search of a better life.
—Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
In December, Wisconsin Watch reported on an Appleton technical charter school that struggles to manage high program costs and secure donations to stay afloat.
—Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
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Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
Especially for the wholesale buying fashion designers who may keep this passion project afloat.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
The roadside restaurant stayed afloat first through the persistence of locals and, over time, thanks to business from eager tourists seeking the freshest fish.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The case involves the recent indictment of Nye County Republican Commissioner Leonardo Blundo, who is accused of committing fraud against a government program that gave small businesses loans to keep them afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
But for all the strong words, analysts say the effort appears aimed at keeping the economy afloat rather than boosting it.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Cars were still given as parting gifts for retired employees, and hundreds of thousands of dollars continued to be spent on promotional events and videos — all while membership continued its downward spiral and the union’s pension fund struggled to stay afloat.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
The irregular migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented migrants, precariously – and often fatally – trying to reach Europe in anything afloat, desperate in search of a better life.
—Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
In December, Wisconsin Watch reported on an Appleton technical charter school that struggles to manage high program costs and secure donations to stay afloat.
—Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afloat. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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