afloat 1 of 2

Definition of afloatnext
as in floating
riding upon the surface of a body of liquid the boat can't stay afloat much longer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

afloat

2 of 2

adverb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of afloat
Adjective
Both of them worked constantly, often pushing into overtime just to stay afloat. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026 But even in countries with relative stability like Senegal or Djibouti, projects like Abdi Guelleh's farm have struggled to stay afloat. Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026 With only a limited number of flights and passengers, companies rely on premium pricing to stay afloat. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026 This year, the hospital needs to find $200 million to stay afloat. Dené K. Dryden, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2026 After being blackballed from the finance sector, Coop resorts to burglarizing the homes of those in his social circle and pawning the items to stay afloat. Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026 Burglarizing the homes of those in his social circle and pawning the items just to stay afloat. Ryan Brennan april 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026 Gen Zers may be turning their tassels, flying the nest, and securing their first full-time jobs—but many are still bankrolled by mom and dad to stay afloat. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026 Across the country, stations have held funding drives and urged communities to make donations in order to stay afloat. Stephany Matat, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
In fact, the United States in March granted a temporary license for Iran to sell oil that had been sitting afloat on tankers. David Goldman, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026 Under the regular threat of eviction and the looming competition of a big box store, a quirky group of friends strive to keep their comic store afloat by any ridiculous means necessary. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026 In addition to showing up in person, supporters have also contributed to an online fundraiser created to help keep the restaurant afloat. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026 The Arctic Metagaz remained afloat after the attack and was pushed by winds and currents toward the Libyan coast, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature, a global conservation organization. Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 The genre may, for better or worse, prove essential in keeping movies and theaters afloat for the foreseeable future. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026 The vessel remained afloat and drifted towards Libya's coast, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature, a global conservation organization. ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026 But Steinberg diversified to stay afloat and has managed to keep a steady stream of customers. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 The Penguins are second in their division, keeping themselves afloat in the race for a playoff spot. Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 1 Apr. 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
  • Until recently, the country exported raw nickel while most of the value creation occurred abroad.
    Pandu Sjahrir, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Our own editors have run the gamut of unexpected setbacks abroad, including getting mugged and pickpocketed, as well as having their passports stolen.
    Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 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 proliferation of letters in the New Testament is also typical of second-century literary activity; letters written as rhetorical models, using the epistolary form as an intimate vehicle for argument, are everywhere in the later period.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Jennifer seemed frazzled, and her apartment was in disarray with clothes and shoes strewn everywhere.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afloat. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.

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