FLOATS Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

floats 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of float

as in hovers

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wanders

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

floats

2 of 2

noun

plural of float

as in docks

a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river

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 floats

Verb

But the County Commission has the power to raise taxes, and the Levine Cava memo floats a higher rate for between 8 and 16 years to raise money for both transit construction and operations. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026 Next, its 50-pound platter assembly floats on an air-bearing. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 8 July 2026 This time the fly lands just above the spot and floats its way down. — Ralph Tuttle, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026 When the tank is full, the robot automatically floats to the surface and parks itself in a corner of the pool for emptying, which is a breeze thanks to a pop-out basket. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026 When the sun goes down, stake out a spot at any Magic Kingdom-area resort beach for the Electrical Water Pageant, a procession of illuminated sea creatures that floats across the lagoon every night. — Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 The insoles, outsoles, and straps are all constructed from a flexible TPU material that water floats right off of. — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026 People hold their phones up to improve their views of the parade floats on Maiden Lane and Broadway. — Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026 As if value just floats in thin air and evil aldermen are firing bazookas in its saintly direction. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Noun

These new images, however, revealed that Quest is in worse condition than previously thought, with fishing nets, floats, and other bottom-trawling gear snagged on the stern and much of the starboard side. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026 Retailers now stock Summerween-specific items like festive banners, pumpkin beach balls, Jack-O-Melons, surfing pumpkins and skeleton pool floats. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026 Marco Pacheco, whose family owns the flagship Sip 'n Dip Donuts store on the Bristol parade route, said the 250th anniversary brought more floats than in previous parades. — Nolan Rogalski, The Providence Journal, 5 July 2026 The event attracts over 60,000 spectators and showcases floats, marching bands, equestrians, dance groups, antique cars and community organizations. — Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 5 July 2026 Others, like Castro, sat outside their homes and businesses on folding chairs and patio furniture, as the marchers, fire trucks and floats went by. — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026 The parade had been slated to include floats and marching bands, according to an event description. — Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Philadelphia's America 250 parade set for July 3 was canceled, a disappointing end for some as floats were all lined up and ready to go that morning, reported the Delaware News Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Local food and beverage trucks will be available at Cecil Andrus Park, along with vendor booths, interactive, hands-on activities for kids and a close-up display of the Fourth of July parade floats. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for floats

Verb

Screenwriters Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller briskly sketch in the legend that hovers like a stormcloud waiting to descend over life in the lush coconut groves and on the golden beaches.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
As a result, Skywalkers hovers between a sense of constant performance and disarming immediacy — the latter generally during the many vertigo-inducing drone shots of Ivan and Angela’s hair-raising accomplishments.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 July 2026

Definition of hovers

Verb

The silent protagonist is as mysterious as the movie that wanders along the cinematic edge between the physical and the spiritual worlds.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2026
Jet Wine Bar, Philadelphia Sparkling Spanish whites, earthy Georgian oranges, bright Chilean reds — Jet Wine Bar wanders wide for its exciting by-the-glass wine list.

— Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 June 2026

Definition of wanders

Noun

The aesthetic details of what will happen beyond the loading docks have been shrouded in mystery.

— Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 4 July 2026
This season, our editors are savoring the activities that take us back to some of our favorite childhood days—jumping off docks, sliding down twisty pool slides, and lingering outside long into the evening.

— Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Definition of docks

Verb

Victory Cruise Lines, which sails on the Great Lakes, says 2026 bookings are up more than 20 percent for itineraries such as a 10-night trip that sails on all five Great Lakes.

— Jane Wooldridge, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Star of the Seas still sails out of Port Canaveral, housing guests on what is tied for the title of world’s largest cruise ship.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026

Definition of sails

Verb

North Carolina will be under the microscope as long as Bill Belichick roams the sidelines in Chapel Hill.

— Antonio Morales, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Today, the herd roams the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and is managed in partnership with the local fire company, which hosts the annual pony swim—a beloved local tradition.

— Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026

Definition of roams

Noun

Vanuatu has received large loans and aid from China for buildings, wharves and other infrastructure.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
In San Isidro, a movement was born Castillo and Otero grew up in San Isidro, a working class, hardscrabble neighborhood abutting the wharfs near the Port of Havana, and became friends – one a rapper, the other a visual artist.

— Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026

Definition of wharves

Verb

Some of them have commanded many millions at auction, like 1972’s Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), showing a man looking into the pool as another man swims underwater to the edge.

— Devorah Lauter for ARTNews, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
Speaking in a new interview with Today, published Wednesday, May 27, Michigan resident Betty Morris, who turned 101 on May 13 and still drives and swims daily, revealed her top four tips for longevity.

— Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026

Definition of swims

Verb

Light moves But the show’s action drifts beyond that focal point, up to the main plaza level, especially in its lighting.

— Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2026
Elsewhere, the conversation drifts into questions about public-records databases, investigative reporting, grant applications, and the ways institutions classify professional expertise.

— Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of drifts

Browse Nearby Words

floating

floats

floaty

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Style

“Floats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floats. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of floats

verb

noun

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