as in floating
riding upon the surface of a body of liquid
the boat can't stay afloat much longer
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as in abroad
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Recent Examples of afloat
Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 10 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
Santa Clara County’s investment in new health care services comes as its bracing for devastating federal cuts to Medicaid revenues that are key to keeping the system afloat.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Investigations explained how decisions made in Washington ripple outward — to farmers, veterans, federal workers and families struggling to stay afloat.
—Thomas Evans, NPR, 22 Dec. 2025
More and more people are working second and third jobs to supplement their income and stay afloat.
—Essence, 19 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors say a school guidance counselor, Francisca Josefina Tavárez Vélez, did not intervene as Stephora struggled to stay afloat.
—Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
But as Daniels battled injuries this season, the Commanders couldn’t remain afloat.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The alliance had been crucial during America’s War of Independence, providing naval power under admirals such as de Grasse, troops at Yorktown, and loans that kept the Continental Army afloat.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The many ups and downs, rapid shifts and geopolitical pressures have brought into sharp focus the key role the supply chain plays in keeping just about any industry afloat.
—Eric Lefebvre, Sourcing Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
Once paid millions per picture, Rourke now often works in low-budget genre fare and international productions, making Hollywood Hustle’s premise of stars hustling to stay afloat feel less like parody and more like reportage.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
Scott Olson | Getty Images Beleaguered retail chain Saks Global is struggling to line up as much as $1 billion in financing to keep its business afloat during a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, CNBC has learned.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Their efforts have dovetailed with the Kings’ best defensive pairing this season, Brandt Clarke and Joel Edmundson, to keep the club afloat.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Porter was already cooking, pouring in 12 to keep Brooklyn afloat.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Ragland said that the aid will keep some farms afloat, but things need to change in the long run to assure that the market doesn't crash around the agricultural industry.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Christopher tries to keep everything afloat but is too absorbed by the energies and influences surrounding him.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 10 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
Santa Clara County’s investment in new health care services comes as its bracing for devastating federal cuts to Medicaid revenues that are key to keeping the system afloat.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Investigations explained how decisions made in Washington ripple outward — to farmers, veterans, federal workers and families struggling to stay afloat.
—Thomas Evans, NPR, 22 Dec. 2025
More and more people are working second and third jobs to supplement their income and stay afloat.
—Essence, 19 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors say a school guidance counselor, Francisca Josefina Tavárez Vélez, did not intervene as Stephora struggled to stay afloat.
—Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
But as Daniels battled injuries this season, the Commanders couldn’t remain afloat.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Adverb
And yet, Kyle Shanahan and his coaching staff have managed to keep their team afloat, plugging in young reserves and positioning them for impactful contributions.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The alliance had been crucial during America’s War of Independence, providing naval power under admirals such as de Grasse, troops at Yorktown, and loans that kept the Continental Army afloat.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The many ups and downs, rapid shifts and geopolitical pressures have brought into sharp focus the key role the supply chain plays in keeping just about any industry afloat.
—Eric Lefebvre, Sourcing Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
Once paid millions per picture, Rourke now often works in low-budget genre fare and international productions, making Hollywood Hustle’s premise of stars hustling to stay afloat feel less like parody and more like reportage.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
Scott Olson | Getty Images Beleaguered retail chain Saks Global is struggling to line up as much as $1 billion in financing to keep its business afloat during a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, CNBC has learned.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Their efforts have dovetailed with the Kings’ best defensive pairing this season, Brandt Clarke and Joel Edmundson, to keep the club afloat.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Porter was already cooking, pouring in 12 to keep Brooklyn afloat.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Ragland said that the aid will keep some farms afloat, but things need to change in the long run to assure that the market doesn't crash around the agricultural industry.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afloat
Adjective
-
Companies with a smaller market value generally tend to have more floating rate debt than larger businesses.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Social media posts and years of reviewing cookie-cutter luxury hotels had conditioned me to equate floating breakfasts, monogrammed accessories, butler service, and aromatherapy menus as markers of a dreamy luxury vacation.—
Katherine Alex Beaven,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Oct. 2024
Adverb
-
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is removing funding for its citizens to study in the United Kingdom, citing concerns they could be radicalized abroad.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
They were also supposed to celebrate their wedding by taking a trip abroad in a few weeks.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
And while the absence of a hometown rooting interest obviously won’t translate into a total baseball blackout hereabouts, only someone who’s been clobbered over the head by Wonderboy might expect to see the World Series ratings reach the heights of last year.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
This time the recipient is area rancher Benjamin Bonney (Dermot Mulroney), who along with his thuggish sons is suspected of murdering anyone hereabouts who won’t surrender their own land to him.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
10 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
The art is absolutely everywhere and contributes enormously to the vibrant, dynamic feel of the place.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Chocolate brown suede has been everywhere lately — and Kate Middleton leaned into the winter shoe trend while coordinating with Prince William during a visit to Charing Cross Hospital in west London on Thursday.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afloat. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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