as in floats
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 hovers
Northwestern’s endowment hovers around $14 billion.
—
Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Dellos, the shelter's manager, said the waitlist hovers around 200 people.
—Aaron Bolton, NPR, 6 Jan. 2026
My phone screen time hovers around three hours on average, sometimes more.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Fun Mountain is kid nirvana, an arcade, go-kart track, climbing wall, and a ropes course that hovers above live alligators.
—T.j. Olwig, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
Richard Harmon’s tattooed Erik is an instant series MVP, prickly, wounded, and devastating, while the late Tony Todd’s final turn as William Bludworth hovers over it all, making the world of millennium horror look not just remembered but triumphantly alive.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
Typically, Wilkins hovers between 4,500 and 7,000 weekly listeners, or a median of 6,300 streams each week, according to Luminate.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
That's the one that hovers over every decision the network makes like a dark cloud, ready to rain all over everything.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 10 Dec. 2025
National runner-up Houston also hovers near the top of the odds as well.
—Scott Phillips, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Dellos, the shelter's manager, said the waitlist hovers around 200 people.
—Aaron Bolton, NPR, 6 Jan. 2026
My phone screen time hovers around three hours on average, sometimes more.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
Fun Mountain is kid nirvana, an arcade, go-kart track, climbing wall, and a ropes course that hovers above live alligators.
—T.j. Olwig, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
Richard Harmon’s tattooed Erik is an instant series MVP, prickly, wounded, and devastating, while the late Tony Todd’s final turn as William Bludworth hovers over it all, making the world of millennium horror look not just remembered but triumphantly alive.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
Typically, Wilkins hovers between 4,500 and 7,000 weekly listeners, or a median of 6,300 streams each week, according to Luminate.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
That's the one that hovers over every decision the network makes like a dark cloud, ready to rain all over everything.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 10 Dec. 2025
National runner-up Houston also hovers near the top of the odds as well.
—Scott Phillips, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hovers
Verb
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Each space floats on local zapote wood pillars to avoid covering the ground, leaving most of the jungle intact.—
Gemma Price,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Over half the resort floats to minimize land disruption, there are zero single-use plastics, and even their toilet paper is sourced with eco credentials.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Where National Geographic Endurance Sails Endurance often sails in icy waters, including those in the Arctic and around Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands.—
Kristen E. Pope,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
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Orgon’s only ally is his domineering parade float of a mother, Madame Pernelle (the Bianca del Rio), who sails onto the stage in high dudgeon at the top of the play.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In a video from the rescue mission shared on X, the aircrew is seen deploying a rescue swimmer, who swiftly swims to the disabled vessel and helps each boater to the helicopter's lift.—
Hunter Geisel,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
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Meet Scuba Santa at Newport Aquarium Watch as Santa swims with sharks, rays, schools of fish and a sea turtle.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The gel texture glides on smoothly, lathers into a plush foam, and rinses clean without leaving skin feeling tight.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Infused with sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, and vitamin E, the formula glides onto the skin with ease.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Representation thins and drifts toward the extremes, and public confidence in Congress as an accountable institution erodes along with it.—
Duncan Hosie,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
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As the rig drifts past the party, Cami pulls Tommy aside to a quiet table away from the celebration.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hovers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hovers. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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