FLOATED Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

floated

verb

past tense of float

as in hovered

to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air a canoe floating down the river particles of dust floating in the air

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wandered

to move about from place to place aimlessly lost touch with a childhood friend who spent much of his adult life floating from place to place

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 floated In the fourth quarter, Acuff sliced through four defenders in the paint and floated one in off the back rim. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Witnesses told the outlet that Paolasin went into the water to retrieve a shoe that had floated away. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 Emerson’s single that floated just above the outstretched glove of Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel drove in the first two. — Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 The ball floated toward the box, over Egypt’s Yasser Ibrahim and toward the head of Enzo Fernández. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 Suggestions are floated and swiftly vetoed (Symi—too far, Spetses—too posh), and then inspiration strikes. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 3 July 2026 Many have floated the idea of giving him the Nobel Peace Prize, naming airports after him, and making his birthday a federal holiday. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026 McGregor has floated big-money boxing and bareknuckle spectacles, and recently claimed Terence Crawford turned down a nine-figure two-fight deal to face him. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Troy Jackson, a logger and former candidate in Maine’s Democratic gubernatorial primary and a progressive, has been floated as a candidate who could appeal to Platner’s voters. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for floated

Verb

But taken as a percentage of GDP, the US has hovered around 3% range -- less than Poland and Baltic allies.

— Isabella Murray, ABC News, 6 July 2026
For about a decade, the number has hovered somewhere between 200,000 and 340,000 people.

— Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 6 July 2026

Definition of hovered

Verb

Kahan’s fans — they’re called Busyheads, after his 2019 debut — wandered the festival grounds in their Kahan merch and cowboy boots, taking in the stunning view of the Hudson River.

— Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 5 July 2026
The American mink likely wandered into the resident's yard from the riverbank, according to the Sonoma County Animal Service.

— Noe Padilla, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of wandered

Verb

Gwinnett was an English clergymen’s son who sailed for the colonies in 1762 and opened a general store in Savannah in 1765.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Most of the crew members had sailed together for years, spending as much time on board as at home; several were related.

— Will Freeman, New Yorker, 30 June 2026

Definition of sailed

Verb

The age of sail, when pirates like Johnny Depp’s fictional Jack Sparrow roamed the seven seas, ended about 200 years ago.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Earlier this month, dozens of police officers, hunters and city officials were deployed in the city of Utsunomiya, north of Tokyo, to catch a bear that roamed the streets for four days, forcing mass school closures.

— CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Definition of roamed

Verb

Cubans strolled along el Paseo del Prado promenade in the inky night, desperate to escape the stifling heat of their homes.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
More recently, Amal Clooney strolled through the South of France hand-in-hand with husband George in a black micro-mini with shorts peeking out underneath.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Definition of strolled

Verb

In his first bout at 170 pounds, Makhachev cruised to a decision win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025, easily wresting the UFC welterweight crown from Della Maddalena.

— Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Zebby Matthews cruised through the first four frames, allowing just one run.

— Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026

Definition of cruised

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float

floated

floating

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“Floated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floated. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of floated

verb

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