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
But the hunter success rate for the spring season hovers around 30 percent.
—
Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
Around his head hovers a cluster of disembodied faces — creepy alt-Altmans, their expressions ranging from anger to open-mouthed woe.
—Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026
Numbers began to skyrocket around the time of the Artemis II launch on April 1st, peaking at around 12,434 at time of writing— a huge jump against the game's standard average player count, which hovers around 3,000 to 4,000.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The average age hovers around 28, though the actual range is far wider — families, longtime fans and groups of grandparents have all been spotted in the crowd.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Keira Knightley’s ends look swingy and thick in this blunt cut, which hovers just above her shoulders.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
On a warm Sunday afternoon, Shamim Popal hovers in the kitchen of her Middleburg, Virginia, home, making brunch for her family.
—Liam Scott, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2026
The average for 3-point shooting, pro and college, hovers around 35%.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
The specter of October 7, 2023, hovers over the movie, as does the aftermath that’s left thousands more dead.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
Around his head hovers a cluster of disembodied faces — creepy alt-Altmans, their expressions ranging from anger to open-mouthed woe.
—Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026
Numbers began to skyrocket around the time of the Artemis II launch on April 1st, peaking at around 12,434 at time of writing— a huge jump against the game's standard average player count, which hovers around 3,000 to 4,000.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The average age hovers around 28, though the actual range is far wider — families, longtime fans and groups of grandparents have all been spotted in the crowd.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Keira Knightley’s ends look swingy and thick in this blunt cut, which hovers just above her shoulders.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
On a warm Sunday afternoon, Shamim Popal hovers in the kitchen of her Middleburg, Virginia, home, making brunch for her family.
—Liam Scott, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2026
The average for 3-point shooting, pro and college, hovers around 35%.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
The specter of October 7, 2023, hovers over the movie, as does the aftermath that’s left thousands more dead.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hovers
Verb
-
The toxic dust floats to neighboring states, such as Wyoming and Idaho during strong wind events.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Little children wave and call out, while their parents work the soil with hoes and the smell of eucalyptus floats across the air.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The boat sails from Genoa in complete darkness, a precaution against air raids.—
Marcy Thompson,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The line sails year-round from Southern ports including Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Galveston, and New Orleans.—
Linnea Bailey,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meatloaf now swims in the aquarium’s sea turtle rehabilitation area, which opened in January.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The reigning Tri-Valley League MVP swims at Kingfish Swimming club.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Brazzell is a 6-foot-4, 198-pound target who glides by his opposing corners with ease.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
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As the late '70s disco hit Stayin' Alive fills the Addison dance studio, instructor Maya Apodaca glides across the floor.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Set clear expectations and timelines so nothing drifts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Mesa de Frades The traditional, melancholic music drifts through the streets of Alfama each evening, and gives guests a deeper understanding of the heart of the city.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hovers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hovers. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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