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

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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

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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

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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

The United States shot down three more floating objects in the following days, then announced that there was no sign that any of them were connected to China. — Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2023 This tablet also comes with a full-sized floating keyboard that resembles Apple’s iPad Air and Pro Magic Keyboard. — Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023

Verb

The cetaceans most commonly rested by floating dorsal-side-up at the surface, as well as below it. — Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 22 July 2026 On select sailings, there’s also a stop at Sandy Point, where the yacht drops anchor near the Abaco Islands and sets up the floating marina, complete with an ocean pool, loungers, and ocean sports. — Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 22 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

With the global benchmark for oil prices now hovering near $100 per barrel, Ferreira warned that further escalation could push prices closer to $120—near the late-April high of $124 per barrel.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 July 2026
The stock is hovering at around $324 at the time of writing, down over 15 percent over the last five days and about 28 percent year to date.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 23 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

The Menlo Park Fire Protection District received a call during the week of July 13 stating that a dog had entered a body of water and was swimming.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
The East Palo Alto Police Department posted a separate video from the rescue that shows the dog swimming furiously with seagulls circling overhead and firefighters scooping him out of the murky water and swaddling him in towels.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 19 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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Style

“Floating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floating. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of floating

adjective

verb

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