HOVERING Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

hovering 1 of 2

adjective

as in sailing

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hovering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of hover

as in floating

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of hovering

Adjective

The drones then find the best hovering altitude before each lining up to spray the fire, one after the other. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026 He-Man was now a jolly, quip-ready hero, whose best friends were scaredy-cat Cringer (a green-and-yellow tiger who transformed into Battle Cat), and an annoying, hovering magician called Orko. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 June 2026 This is surprising for something that is supposed to require less hovering, especially if the host is out of hearing range of the device's alerts. — New Atlas, 20 Feb. 2026

Verb

Initial jobless claims showed a modest pop last week after hovering around their lowest levels since the late 1960s. — Sean Conlon,hugh Leask,jenny Lee,tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026 Even its greater metropolitan population, hovering somewhere between 20 and 25 million, leaves a margin of error larger than many cities. — Reif Larsen, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2026 Airline and ground personnel at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport reported seeing a UFO hovering over the airport and then darting up, leaving a hole in the clouds. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026 During winter, both kinglet species flit among tree branches, frequently hovering and energetically flicking their wings to startle insects into movement. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Nov. 2026 Most studies of exotic quantum states require ultracold temperatures hovering near absolute zero. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026 The brightest planets are 100,000 times fainter than their host stars, meaning spotting them is like observing a firefly hovering around a lighthouse. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026 Musk unveiled a prototype of the Roadster last month that was capable of hovering off the ground and driving upside down. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 When he’s described as cowardly in print by the ever-hovering gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Sarah Drew, Grey’s Anatomy), Stewart follows his instincts and enlists. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hovering

Adjective

The set of three miniature lights each features a vintage hanging-lantern design that looks straight out of a storybook and casts a warm gold glow across your collection.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.

— Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of hanging

Verb

Owned and operated by the Ahousaht First Nation, the 16-room floating lodge and four forest cabins were reacquired in 2022 by the Nation’s hereditary chiefs through the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS).

— Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
Others were in the distance, floating in different directions.

— Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of floating

Adjective

The Northwestern quarterback appeared more poised and confident, delivering accurate throws, making plays with his legs and taking better care of the football.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
This stretch of town affords you iconic views, and reminds you to carry yourself with a kind of poised grace.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of poised

Verb

That microbudget indie, directed by Thompson and starring O’Sullivan as a drifting 34-year-old nanny in Chicago, won the Austin festival’s audience award and later earned a John Cassavetes Spirit Award nomination.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Nov. 2026
Its pilot repeatedly attempted to activate RTH, but the drone continued drifting with the wind.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026