as in afloat
riding upon the surface of a body of liquid
the wreckage remained floating for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of floating
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
Reuters,
NBC news,
24 June 2026
There is a lot of background information about us floating around on the internet, especially on social media, where our history of posts can add up to a detailed psychological profile.
—
Robert Wright,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
Oil tanker rates have soared in recent days due to tightness of ship availability and safety concerns, which have included the risk of floating mines.
—
Reuters,
NBC news,
24 June 2026
There is a lot of background information about us floating around on the internet, especially on social media, where our history of posts can add up to a detailed psychological profile.
—
Robert Wright,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for floating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floating
Adjective
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To stay afloat, Catawba County sought to diversify its economic gains and began looking into data centers.
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But those are optimistic goals for a regime that has proven unable or unwilling to keep its own economy afloat.
Verb
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With credit card interest rates still hovering around 20%, this may be less a strategic move and more a mandatory one.
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Attendance at the annual event has grown, Rodgers said, with attendance before the pandemic hovering around 3,000 but about 6,000 coming to the festival a year ago.
Verb
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After countless date nights spent wandering Costco aisles during executive member hours and dining on food-court pizza and hot dogs, Beth and Alec Harwerth decided there was no better location for their engagement photos.
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In Corfu, days were spent hiking to the island's best beaches, wandering through pastel old-town streets, and stopping for long lunches in mountain villages.
Verb
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The Deliver, sailing under the flag of Cameroon, had departed from the Russian port of Primorsk, authorities said.
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Carnival Jubilee Western Caribbean Cruises Carnival Jubilee is one of the larger ships sailing from Galveston, carrying over 6,500 passengers at maximum capacity.
Verb
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Bone Jovi spends much of his time roaming the galleries, greeting visitors and keeping watch over the collection.
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The San Jose Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drum band will be piping and drumming at Willow Glen Town Square on Lincoln Avenue, and a pop-up choir will be roaming VTA light-rail trains and stations throughout the day.
Verb
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Plum Island was set to reopen for swimming on Saturday after a 48-hour precautionary closure.
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Authorities have warned people to take extra care when swimming in unsupervised areas, such as rivers or lakes, following the deaths of around 40 people in France over the past week.
Verb
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The bedroom window was open wide, the char of campfire smoke drifting through.
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Most concerning, according to an analysis by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, is a 2026-27 spending plan that is balanced on paper but drifting steadily toward a structural deficit like the one that haunts the city of San Diego.
Verb
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The Brazilians are cruising early in the second half.
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Spending by active yachts supports marinas, hotels, restaurants, transportation providers and a range of local service businesses in major cruising destinations—not just in terms of guest or owner spending, but crew spending, too.
Cite this Entry
“Floating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floating. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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