as in floated
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
claimed that the UFO hovered a moment, then spun off into space at incredible speed
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Recent Examples of hovered
Prices have wavered since then, and gold’s value hovered below $5,200 an ounce on March 6.
—
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
In 2025, the number of mobile connections hovered around 200 million for a population of 237 million people.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Eight years ago, that average hovered closer to $35,000.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Audience reaction was equally as strong; the consumer score on Rotten Tomatoes has hovered between 96 percent and 97 percent.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
This is three straight games in which the Penguins have hovered around the 30 percent mark.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
As of Tuesday, the chance that Democrats would split the vote so much that two Republicans would advance to the general election hovered around 25%, according to Mitchell.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026
The Mavericks hovered over the debate even as city officials insisted there is no arena deal in place.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
And that reality was especially stark considering that mortgage interest rates had hovered around record lows just a few years earlier, during the pandemic era of record-low interest rates.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
In 2025, the number of mobile connections hovered around 200 million for a population of 237 million people.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Eight years ago, that average hovered closer to $35,000.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Audience reaction was equally as strong; the consumer score on Rotten Tomatoes has hovered between 96 percent and 97 percent.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
This is three straight games in which the Penguins have hovered around the 30 percent mark.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
As of Tuesday, the chance that Democrats would split the vote so much that two Republicans would advance to the general election hovered around 25%, according to Mitchell.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026
The Mavericks hovered over the debate even as city officials insisted there is no arena deal in place.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
And that reality was especially stark considering that mortgage interest rates had hovered around record lows just a few years earlier, during the pandemic era of record-low interest rates.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hovered
Verb
-
Muschamp floated around to two different units during the viewing period, which mostly included individual drills for position groups.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
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Funding-wise, Giannoulias, who has been floated as a potential 2027 Chicago mayoral contender, had more than $6 million in his campaign coffers at the end of 2025, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wide receiver Puka Nacua and Davante Adams aren’t going anywhere, but the Tutu Atwell ship has officially sailed, and the Rams didn’t get much consistency out of their other three receivers last season.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Bogaerts tried to finish the double play, but his throw sailed into the stands, bringing Marte home and pushing the lead to 2-0 on the error.—
Noah Gulley,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cadets sophomore Pascal Zeruhn swam away with the 500-yard freestyle, winning the title by five and a half seconds.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Albarn swam in the Ganges, scattered his father’s ashes into its mythology.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While both candidates occupied the party’s progressive flank, Talarico presented himself as a Democrat who could speak the language of faith and values to voters who have drifted rightward in recent years.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
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Each photo op was capped off by explosive pyrotechnics yielding plumes of red and white smoke, which drifted toward the river and train tracks to the west across the backdrop of the Chicago skyline.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lane practically glided across the field, while catching everything thrown his way.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
As inklings of Hudson Williams‘ potential Saturday Night Live cameo percolated in the days leading up to his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie‘s debut hosting gig, the Canadian actor glided onto Studio 8H ice during a sketch.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hovered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hovered. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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