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
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
Nationally, opinions vary widely regarding AI, the companies that run them, and the environmental impacts needed to keep them afloat.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Mar. 2026
Funding cuts forced some victim-service organizations to reduce staff and services to stay afloat.
—Maddy Keyes, The Frontier, 5 Mar. 2026
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Romeo Doubs signs in New England Doubs isn’t an alpha receiver, but New England was one of the best possible landing spots to keep his fantasy value afloat.
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
For many in the middle and lower tiers, simply staying afloat now feels like a struggle.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 9 Mar. 2026
Farmers struggle to cover production costs, and dwindling state subsidies haven’t been sufficient to keep many businesses afloat, according to officials.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
Knight, who made 32 saves, returned to his early-season form of keeping his team afloat as the Avs sent breakaway shots his way.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Combining all of those as one mega entity could be the means to keep these linear channels afloat, and maybe something like that is still on the table should Paramount look to do some more M&A shopping.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Melton’s off-the-bounce game and some timely shotmaking by Moody were the only things keeping the Warriors offense afloat.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
By licensing the Stan Patrol 6009 hull – which shares its axe-bow design with around 300 vessels already afloat – the Liberty Class benefits from a pre-validated platform, potentially saving years of hull development and testing.
—New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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
Nationally, opinions vary widely regarding AI, the companies that run them, and the environmental impacts needed to keep them afloat.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Mar. 2026
Funding cuts forced some victim-service organizations to reduce staff and services to stay afloat.
—Maddy Keyes, The Frontier, 5 Mar. 2026
Adverb
As the partial government shutdown continues and Transportation Security Administration officers work without pay, many are struggling to stay afloat financially.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Romeo Doubs signs in New England Doubs isn’t an alpha receiver, but New England was one of the best possible landing spots to keep his fantasy value afloat.
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
For many in the middle and lower tiers, simply staying afloat now feels like a struggle.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 9 Mar. 2026
Farmers struggle to cover production costs, and dwindling state subsidies haven’t been sufficient to keep many businesses afloat, according to officials.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
Knight, who made 32 saves, returned to his early-season form of keeping his team afloat as the Avs sent breakaway shots his way.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Combining all of those as one mega entity could be the means to keep these linear channels afloat, and maybe something like that is still on the table should Paramount look to do some more M&A shopping.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Melton’s off-the-bounce game and some timely shotmaking by Moody were the only things keeping the Warriors offense afloat.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
By licensing the Stan Patrol 6009 hull – which shares its axe-bow design with around 300 vessels already afloat – the Liberty Class benefits from a pre-validated platform, potentially saving years of hull development and testing.
—New Atlas, 25 Feb. 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
-
Its mission was to discuss Ireland's future at home and abroad.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Another option that may be a viable compromise is to suggest that your daughter choose a school stateside that is affordable and that has a healthy study abroad program.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 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
-
Wet or snowy roads may remain slick as temperatures fall below freezing everywhere.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Brooks makes performance running gear for runners everywhere.—
Lisa Jhung,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afloat. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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