1
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
2
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
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
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Recent Examples of floats
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Throw something that floats and call 9-1-1.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The port is also nearby, where Katajanokka’s maritime warehouses have been converted into restaurants and urban bathing spot Allas Sea Pool floats in the harbor.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
IndyCar may not be as glamorous as F1, but a rising tide apparently floats all open-wheel cars as well as boats.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
Lawn terrace The cooking area in this outdoor kitchen space floats above an elegant lawn terrace surrounded by a sinuous retaining wall in this space by Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture.
—Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
Jordan Pope floats home his second bucket of the half for the Longhorns.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Don’t leave without taking a photo on the property’s already-iconic hanging bridge, which floats above the lush treetops and connects both sides of the resort.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The procession featured drums, dancing and floats celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese American community in the oldest celebration of its kind outside Asia and one of the largest.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2026
The community wasn’t daunted by the warmth of the day, with crowds lining the streets to watch as floats, marching bands, equestrian groups, community organizations and more marched past, celebrating San Juan Capistrano and the area’s history.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
The free event in Cass Corridor is an annual riotous, jazzy parade that draws thousands to join in wacky and wonderful costumes and floats, while marking the start to spring.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 21 Mar. 2026
There’s no public boat access and the rental is stocked with kayaks and paddle boards for guests, as well as noodles for leisurely afternoon floats.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
Particulate matter, or PM, is the mixture of tiny solid and liquid matter that collects on surfaces and floats in the air.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
The parade marched down Market Street with bagpipe players, traditional Irish dancers and colorful floats celebrating Irish heritage.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
The family-friendly party takes over the city’s historic district with a march featuring bands, troops, floats and Alee Shriner Clubs snaking along the route.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Customers can buy Texas barbecue, clothing, ice coolers, river floats and even wine.
—Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Aspiring and experienced boaters alike will congregate at the Orange County Convention Center this weekend as the Orlando Boat Show floats into Central Florida once again.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Throw something that floats and call 9-1-1.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The port is also nearby, where Katajanokka’s maritime warehouses have been converted into restaurants and urban bathing spot Allas Sea Pool floats in the harbor.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
IndyCar may not be as glamorous as F1, but a rising tide apparently floats all open-wheel cars as well as boats.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
Lawn terrace The cooking area in this outdoor kitchen space floats above an elegant lawn terrace surrounded by a sinuous retaining wall in this space by Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture.
—Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
Jordan Pope floats home his second bucket of the half for the Longhorns.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Don’t leave without taking a photo on the property’s already-iconic hanging bridge, which floats above the lush treetops and connects both sides of the resort.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The procession featured drums, dancing and floats celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese American community in the oldest celebration of its kind outside Asia and one of the largest.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Often, the interest rate floats, meaning that as the benchmark rate set by the Federal Reserve rises or fall, so do the rates paid by borrowers and earned by investors.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2026
The community wasn’t daunted by the warmth of the day, with crowds lining the streets to watch as floats, marching bands, equestrian groups, community organizations and more marched past, celebrating San Juan Capistrano and the area’s history.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
The free event in Cass Corridor is an annual riotous, jazzy parade that draws thousands to join in wacky and wonderful costumes and floats, while marking the start to spring.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 21 Mar. 2026
There’s no public boat access and the rental is stocked with kayaks and paddle boards for guests, as well as noodles for leisurely afternoon floats.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
Particulate matter, or PM, is the mixture of tiny solid and liquid matter that collects on surfaces and floats in the air.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
The parade marched down Market Street with bagpipe players, traditional Irish dancers and colorful floats celebrating Irish heritage.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
The family-friendly party takes over the city’s historic district with a march featuring bands, troops, floats and Alee Shriner Clubs snaking along the route.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Customers can buy Texas barbecue, clothing, ice coolers, river floats and even wine.
—Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floats
Verb
-
Judith’s twin brother, Hamnet (Ajani Cabey), hovers nearby, watching his sister’s suffering with growing alarm.—
Rhoda Feng,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The friction between Space Florida and NASA hovers over the federal agency’s most ambitious mission in half a century — Artemis II, slated for takeoff next month.—
Katelyn Ferral,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The next morning, Greg wanders across campus in his rumpled suit.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
-
As the pensive Moon wanders into your vocal 3rd house, your mind buzzes with activity.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other YouClip attachments include organizer bags and clips, clothes hangers and mobile electronics docks.—
C.C. Weiss
March 24,
New Atlas,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The outpost also has enough docks for up to eight spacecraft to be stationed at one time.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Capasecca Yacht Another bespoke yachting experience, Capasecca — featuring four cabins that sleep up to eight guests — sails the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia and Procida, backed by a family with generations of seafaring heritage.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
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In response, Iran has nearly halted traffic through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil typically sails from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The five-person cast roams the room, sitting at various circular tables to blur the lines between script and improvisation.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
-
So this fox crossed an ocean to arrive in a borough where its own species already roams free.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The wharves and warehouses along Pratt Street burned fiercely.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
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The infrastructure humans build in the water ‒ houses, piers, wharves, jetties, and even oil rigs ‒ create new habitats for juvenile jellyfish, called polyps, to attach and grow, Bologna said.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Now the pair are filling the former Slab space with trout that swims in chive beurre blanc; burgers crowned with a range of French cheeses; and expertly made baguettes that receive smears of butter d’Isigny.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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When Blub swims in a particular direction, the camera detects the movement and sends the vehicle rolling that same way.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nmecha drifts wider to develop the play and ultimately, above, Leeds are left with two lively strikers attacking their deliveries.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Carlson-Wee drifts over to him.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Floats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floats. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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