raft 1 of 2

noun

Definition of raftnext
as in loads
a considerable amount the babysitter had to listen to a whole raft of rules before she was allowed to even pick up the baby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

raft

2 of 2

verb

as in to buoy

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 raft
Noun
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, has announced a raft of new acquisitions, including works by artists entering the collection for the first time. — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026 An executive order both solved his problem and gave him a raft of new ones. — Adam Kilgore, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
It can be viewed from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and surrounding hiking trails, or from rafting excursions on the river. — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 May 2026 The most fearless of daredevils shouldn’t pass up a trip to Mindanao to paraglide above the jungle or raft the whitewater of Cagayan de Oro all year round. — Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raft
  1. loads
  2. buoy
  3. slew
  4. balloon
  5. dozen
  6. float
  7. ton
  8. swim
Noun
  • The team must improve the fabrication process, scale up the laser power, and determine whether the ceramic waveguides can maintain their optical performance under much higher loads.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The rocket planes tested reaction-control systems for maneuvering where the air was too thin for normal aerodynamic controls, while gathering data on heating, stability, structural loads, human performance and piloting techniques during reentry.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of loads
Verb
  • Republicans are hoping the president’s signature legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of tax breaks and spending cuts, along with a measure the House passed recently aiming to limit lawmaker stock trading, will buoy them with voters.
    — Mike Catalini, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • The 6-foot-6 right fielder’s presence in the lineup has helped buoy a young Cardinals team that has surpassed expectations this season.
    — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of buoy
Noun
  • Behind a slew of Burton buckets, the Valkyries were able to slim the disadvantage to 54-41 by the end of the third quarter.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Connecting people with clinical trials is complicated — even if people identify a promising match, there’s a slew of potentially thorny factors, including geographic incompatibility, and financial and time considerations.
    — Michelle Andrews, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of slew
Verb
  • Though vertical productions attempt to keep costs low, those expenses could balloon as the sector matures.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Ross Fire has ballooned to 50,000 acres in North Texas, prompting mandatory and recommended evacuations as firefighters battle fast-moving flames in Palo Pinto County.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of balloon
Noun
  • There were dozens of officers and police vehicles seen in the area, along with ambulances.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Smalltown daughter of a farmer and homemaker who cared for a dozen children in a cabin without electricity.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of dozen
Verb
  • Restrictions on energy, electricity or critical minerals, something Ford also floated, could instead raise costs for American companies and consumers by making key inputs more expensive or harder to obtain.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The soda bottles sat atop floating coasters that carried the drinks across the food truck counter and dropped them into a slot so customers could retrieve them below.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of float
Noun
  • Naperville received 3,000 tons secured from the CMS bid and 4,000 tons through an emergency procurement with Midwest Salt.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The trio gives Fort Worth-area football fans what should be a trio of contenders and a ton of high-stakes playoff matchups within a reasonable distance.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of ton
Verb
  • An 8-year-old has died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba believed to have been encountered while swimming in a lake near her home, her family and health officials said.
    — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Williams swims and, characteristically, has taken on a project — converting a circa-1780 building on the plaza by the village church into a gallery for Tom’s work.
    — Barbara Bry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of swim

Browse Nearby Words

raffle
raft
rafted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raft. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about raft

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