FLOATING Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

floating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈflō-tiŋ

Definition of floating

as in afloat

riding upon the surface of a body of liquid the wreckage remained floating for hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

floating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of float

as in hovering

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wandering

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 floating

Adjective

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 The boat, a single motorboat, was found floating and half-submerged near the Harbor One Marina. — Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2024

Verb

The latest advances in their floating screen tech have suddenly been revealed by being nominated for a major industry award for emerging technology. — New Atlas, 30 July 2026 The District of Muskoka in Ontario, Canada, is one of the most unique places Keen Ruffalo has ever been, and that’s not only because the JW Marriott there has North America’s only floating pickleball court. — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for floating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for floating

Adjective

Four legs take water Unlike fishing spiders, QuadBoat does not rely on surface tension to stay afloat.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
These sorts of subscriptions can add up quickly for consumers, adding recurring expenses at a time when many are struggling to stay afloat.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026

Definition of afloat

Verb

But the new flare-up saw oil prices surge again, with the international benchmark Brent crude oil hovering around $90 a barrel early Thursday.

— Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 30 July 2026
Three delivery options During the demonstration, Chaparral first released a 68-pound payload while hovering over the target area.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026

Definition of hovering

Verb

Before catching an afternoon game, grab some breakfast and take your time wandering through animal exhibits before heading to the stadium.

— Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Tourists can enjoy wandering through this gem's stunning blue and white hilltop towns and tasting authentic, fresh Mediterranean food.

— Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Definition of wandering

Verb

Eight of the 57 guests sailing aboard National Geographic Sea Bird reported being ill during its July 15 voyage, along with five crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

— Nathan Diller, USA Today, 27 July 2026
In 2011, Rutherford took on a solo, nonstop circumnavigation of North and South America, departing Maryland and sailing 27,077 miles in 309 days through some of the most dangerous waters on Earth.

— Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Definition of sailing

Verb

Here’s why adults are swimming for better health Add this to the healthy, fun retirementcore activity list.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
Two years later, the program is no longer swimming against that current — perhaps not at the price point of the Big Ten’s highest spenders, but much closer.

— Justin Williams, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of swimming

Verb

Bertha is drifting slowly but is expected to move northwest tonight before tracking near or along the northern Gulf Coast over the next several days.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 July 2026
Griezmann operated as a central attacker in a front three alongside Angulo and Ojeda, frequently drifting into deeper positions to collect the ball and turn play forward.

— Scott Turick, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Definition of drifting

Verb

Travel Advisors, especially those focusing on cruising, are seeing more multigenerational travel on river cruises.

— Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Colombian cyclist Einer Rubio was cruising his way through Stage 19 on Friday, climbing Alpe d'Huez, and riding behind one of the support vehicles.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of cruising

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floated

floating

floats

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“Floating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floating. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of floating

adjective

verb

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