1
as in hovers
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
a canoe floating down the river particles of dust floating in the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wanders
to move about from place to place aimlessly
lost touch with a childhood friend who spent much of his adult life floating from place to place
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in docks
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers
the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river
Synonyms & Similar 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 floats
Cliff Lewis, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
The mystical power of music floats through these and so many other movies close to our hearts.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
In our new apartment in Manhattan, with the weather warm and the windows open, the sound of bells from the Presbyterian church on Amsterdam Avenue floats in at the beginning of each hour.
—Rob Mank, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
The movie floats that threat, or promise, early on, in a scene where Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) meets with a counselor played by Harriet Sansom Harris.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
This will be the first time Alinea has popped up in New York City, and the dinner will be a mix of the restaurant’s enduring classics from its two-decade history (expect some food that floats) and new experiences created specifically for the Olmsted space.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2025
As the monkeys in the trees screech and guests and staff scramble for safety from the continuing gunfire, a body floats into frame, face down.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
In each image, a patch of purple with neon pink veins floats in the blackness of space, surrounded by flecks of light.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2025
In 1995, the company came up with a solution to those maritime accidents, developing the Flot Overall, an insulated suit that floats in water.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
Hiking here rewards you with panoramic views of the coastline, where hawks circle overhead and the scent of sagebrush floats on the breeze.
—Cliff Lewis, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
The mystical power of music floats through these and so many other movies close to our hearts.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
In our new apartment in Manhattan, with the weather warm and the windows open, the sound of bells from the Presbyterian church on Amsterdam Avenue floats in at the beginning of each hour.
—Rob Mank, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
The movie floats that threat, or promise, early on, in a scene where Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) meets with a counselor played by Harriet Sansom Harris.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
This will be the first time Alinea has popped up in New York City, and the dinner will be a mix of the restaurant’s enduring classics from its two-decade history (expect some food that floats) and new experiences created specifically for the Olmsted space.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2025
As the monkeys in the trees screech and guests and staff scramble for safety from the continuing gunfire, a body floats into frame, face down.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
In each image, a patch of purple with neon pink veins floats in the blackness of space, surrounded by flecks of light.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2025
In 1995, the company came up with a solution to those maritime accidents, developing the Flot Overall, an insulated suit that floats in water.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floats
Verb
-
The square exhibit hall hovers 40 feet above the ground, its weight supported by five pillars representing the five branches of the military.—
Jason Allen,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2025
-
At its height some 100,000 people called it home; the population now hovers around 36,000.—
Jim Robbins,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
As one of the few original Squid Game cast members returning for the second season, Wi Ha-joon will continue his quest as the police officer Hwang Jun-ho, who is desperate to find his missing brother and ultimately wanders into the sadistic games.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Back in the woods, a band of militiamen wanders up to Jamie, beating the living daylights out of Lord John, and intervenes.—
Lincee Ray,
EW.com,
14 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The Everton Stadium, as it is known, sits in a largely underdeveloped part of Liverpool’s north docks.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The adjacent Manchester ship canal, finished in 1894 — ‘canal’ in the northern English sense does not convey its scale — was capable of handling cargo ships on its docks.—
Michael Walker,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Floats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floats. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share