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
Without foot traffic and visitors, even the best restaurants and hardest-working teams struggle to stay afloat.
—
Jon Weber, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The early, original WNBA players were trying just to launch a pro league and keep it afloat.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
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
The defense was humming when healthy, but unlike Glenn, when injuries piled up, Sheppard struggled to find answers and keep the ship afloat.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 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
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Jon Weber, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The early, original WNBA players were trying just to launch a pro league and keep it afloat.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
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
The defense was humming when healthy, but unlike Glenn, when injuries piled up, Sheppard struggled to find answers and keep the ship afloat.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 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
Cite this Entry
“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afloat. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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