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

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 main structures at the front (the spa, gym, studio, and reception) are made of natural stone with bougainvillea tumbling down their sides, set between shallow pools of water, echoing the floating effect of the resort above the mangroves. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 As Burberry’s fortunes improved, GUS began divesting the company, floating a minority stake on the London Stock Exchange in 2002 and completing its separation from Burberry in 2005. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for floating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for floating

Adjective

The guest lectures, speaking engagements, and board memberships have all dried up, and Housewives is pretty much the only thing keeping her afloat.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Through a long winter, more young players will be forced to sell off pieces of their future just to stay afloat.

— Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of afloat

Verb

In addition to wandering through the patch and harvesting prized pumpkins, there are many activities at Pumpkin Palooza to keep you and your family entertained.

— Hali Smith October 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026
Couple and family getaways, wedding guests, anyone could be wandering along the paths.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of wandering

Verb

The cargo ship Able was carrying wheat and sailing south when the drones attacked, while the Alfa Watan was heading north with the cargo being unknown.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2026
The ship’s April transatlantic cruise starts in Port Canaveral before sailing to Bermuda, the Azores, Portugal, and England.

— Megan duBois, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of sailing

Verb

More than 180,000 giant tortoises roaming freely on our atoll is proof of what long-term commitment to conservation can achieve.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
The mustang had been roaming near Liberty Reservoir after he was spooked by a lawnmower and jumped over a fence at the end of June.

— CBS Baltimore, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of roaming

Verb

The Accents Perhaps even more than the gigantic thing swimming in the ocean eating people, the thick Newfoundland accents are Below’s standout feature.

— Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Forecasters also expect strong rip currents and dangerous waves, which increase the risk of drowning for people swimming at the beach.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of swimming

Verb

Expect to see plenty of holidaymakers and honeymooners hanging out by the pool or drifting in and out of the on-site spa.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The issue, of course, stems from the sound of rider screams from the coaster drifting into the residential area.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of drifting

Verb

Southwest accomplished its goal emphatically, cruising to a 56-14 victory over Dunbar Friday at Clark Stadium.

— Shiloh Robinson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2026
The British yard, which revealed its first catamaran at the Cannes Yachting Festival in early September, today unveiled a new flagship sailing superyacht that combines elegant design and meticulous craftsmanship with bluewater cruising capability.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of cruising

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Style

“Floating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floating. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of floating

adjective

verb

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