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keep afloat

VERB

buoy (up)

Synonyms

WEAK

bolster boost buck up cheer cheer up encourage hearten lift prop raise support sustain uphold

Antonyms

WEAK

bring down depress

VERB

survive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bear endure exist get through handle keep last live recover remain ride out subsist suffer sustain weather withstand

STRONG

outlast outlive outwear persevere persist revive

WEAK

be extant be left carry on carry through come through cut it get on go all the way go the limit hold out live down live on live out live through make a comeback make the cut pull out of it pull through remain alive see through stand up tough it out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

depart die discontinue neglect refuse reject

STRONG

give up leave quit stop

WEAK

cease

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With income growth pausing and inflation increasing, people tapped into savings to keep afloat.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

You’re holding so much together at all times, and there’s so much that you retain and keep afloat and maintain, and you try to do it as gracefully as possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

“With careers collapsing and organisations struggling to keep afloat, artists are increasingly having to leave the industry completely, and arts organisations are diminishing their output as they fight for survival,” she said.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2024

My will to live was slippery at best, but I knew I had to keep afloat for my eldest daughter, Grace, who loves birthdays, parties, and merriment.

From Slate • May 13, 2024

Between juggling part-time jobs and studying for midterms, they could barely keep afloat.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

keep afloat

Example Sentences

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