hover (over)

as in to threaten
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on after the first big layoff, the possibility of losing their jobs hovered over all of the factory's workers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hover (over)
threaten
Verb
  • But the beloved species is becoming an increasingly rare sight in Phoenix, where rising temperatures and the urban heat island effect are threatening to overheat the saguaro.
    John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The new season sets Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) on a quest to find whoever is threatening the life of her roommate Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers), and murdering people near the campus of Nevermore Academy with the help of a murder of crows.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Hover (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hover%20%28over%29. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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