hover (over)

verb

Definition of hover (over)next
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
  • Ironically, as the office-to-residential boom has consumed millions of square feet of space, the office vacancy rate has declined and leasing has picked up, threatening converters’ ability to acquire properties at rock-bottom prices.
    — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
  • Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has previously threatened to build his own nuclear weapons should Iran acquire the bomb.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of threaten
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.

Browse Nearby Words

hovering (over)
hover (over)
hovers
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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 25 Jul. 2026.

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