hover (over)

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

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hover (over)
threaten
Verb
  • The war has threatened global supplies of oil and natural gas, sparked fertilizer shortages and disrupted air travel.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Instead, there was Foster, checking into the game just as the whole thing threatened to go off the rails for Duke.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
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

Cite this Entry

“Hover (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hover%20%28over%29. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster