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

Separately, the risks of both companies floating in limbo for the better part of a year as an antitrust suit by 12 state attorneys general wends its way to a March 2027 trial date has started to sink in. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 After receiving the ball from an inbound pass with three seconds left in game 5, Jordan nailed the buzzer-beater while floating horizontally through the air near the free throw line. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for floating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for floating

Adjective

Yet many of them are stuck on an exhausting financial hamster wheel, continually grinding to stay afloat.

— Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Like other groups cut off from funds, Estrella del Paso has patched together philanthropy and reserves in an attempt to stay afloat.

— Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of afloat

Verb

The small plane struck the tail of the hovering helicopter, killing the Cessna pilot and sending both aircraft to the ground in pieces.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
The helicopter crew was conducting routine training and was hovering several feet above a grassy area adjacent to a runway when the crash happened.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hovering

Verb

But when Fran discovers a magic tree after wandering into the woods, the trio experience a series of life-altering adventures.

— Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Times classical music critic Mark Swed was there to watch, along with many effusive supporters of music director Gianandrea Noseda’s now wandering orchestra.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of wandering

Verb

Offensive notes Tommy DeVito settled in nicely after sailing some early throws.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
That comment followed news that the USS George Washington is now sailing to the Middle East and is expected to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which has been at sea for some 250 days and not had a port call for more than 200.

— Alexander Smith, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of sailing

Verb

As Loui Ridi, an Ohio resident who owns one of the houses, landed in Israel, settlers were still roaming near Qusra, according to video footage taken by his brother.

— Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
On a typical day this July, around four Roosevelt impersonators were roaming the streets, identifiable by their mustaches, stout bellies, and dispensing of homespun wisdom.

— Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of roaming

Verb

If the object is drifting through the field of view from left to right, place it on the far left to keep it in view for as long as possible.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026
And Chiles is the most versatile — capable of drifting between edge rusher and a coverage aide.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of drifting

Verb

After 30 years of cruising, the writer considers a balcony cabin the most consistently worthwhile upgrade.

— Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026
An erotic thriller that captures the dying charm of Thailand’s stand-alone cinemas which also serve as cruising sites for closeted gay men.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of cruising

Browse Nearby Words

floated

floating

floats

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“Floating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floating. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of floating

adjective

verb

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