hovering (over)

Definition of hovering (over)next
present participle of hover (over)
as in threatening
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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hovering (over)
threatening
Verb
  • In the meantime, the energy crisis continues, threatening summer holidays in Asia and Europe as the loss of jet fuel supplies from the Middle East ripples across those regions.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 May 2026
  • Plus, with carbon pricing now covering 28 percent of global emissions, the industry faces growing exposure to a new layer of fiscal jeopardy, threatening the viability of traditional low-cost production models.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
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“Hovering (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hovering%20%28over%29. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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