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
1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of floating
J Harris, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2016
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
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2025
The story is faithful to the original, but the author adds whimsy by illustrating metaphors in literal ways, such as depicting Daisy and Jordan floating about the parlor on a hot summer day.
—Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for floating
Adjective
Expensive: Price tag is two to three times the cost of a non-floating structure.
—J Harris, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2016
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
Among them were the unwinding of a popular trade that involves swapping floating-rate products such as Treasurys for a futures product, say the Federal Reserve’s Secured Overnight Financing Rate.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2025
The story is faithful to the original, but the author adds whimsy by illustrating metaphors in literal ways, such as depicting Daisy and Jordan floating about the parlor on a hot summer day.
—Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for floating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floating
Verb
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The chance for precipitation is hovering around 60% as of Saturday morning and rainfall amounts are expected to reach between a tenth and quarter of an inch, the forecast shows.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
22 Mar. 2025
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To the north, Canada also slipped down the ladder but remains well ahead of the US, coming in at 18 after hovering around 15 for the last few years.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Spend your days absorbing its wartime history, wandering the outdoor markets, dining on seafood, rejuvenating at a spa, or hiking secluded coastal trails before lolling on the white-sand beaches.—
Peggy Orenstein,
AFAR Media,
6 Jan. 2025
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Claire understands where Rachel’s mind is wandering and follows her train of thought.—
Lincee Ray,
EW.com,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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According to Smithsonian, the institute’s idyllic backdrop, with open fields where patients could imagine animals roaming free, helped convince the doctor's dozens of patients that her practices were legit.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
5 Jan. 2025
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Who knows how regular this blues-rock gig will be for the perpetually roaming Murray, but the timing is good.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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After ten days of cruising Antarctic waters, dodging icebergs, and spotting elephant seals, the cruise’s 140 passengers could toss their Dramamine, catch a plane from the gravel runway at Frei Station research base, and fly straight back to Chile.—
Blair Braverman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Dec. 2024
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Starting at $203,000, the Sportster 25 Surf is the company’s newest, smallest, and sportiest boat, engineered for wake-surfers skilled enough to bob behind a boat cruising at 11 miles per hour.—
Jaclyn Trop,
Robb Report,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Floating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floating. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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