buoyed

American  

[boo-eed, boid] / ˈbu id, bɔɪd /

adjective

1. Nautical. marked with buoys, or distinctively marked floats.

   A buoyed channel guides ships into the inner lagoon.

   Swimming and snorkeling are restricted to the buoyed swimming area.

2. Nautical. made to float or rise in water by means of attached buoys or floats.

   To haul a trap, the lobsterman catches hold of the buoyed trap line with a gaff hook and hauls it up by hand.

3. sustained, encouraged, or supported.

   A buoyed Scotland team began the second half with renewed optimism.

   Following the win, the buoyed opposition leader attacked the chief minister, saying he should immediately tender his resignation.

4. enhanced or increased.

   Boston is really on a roll in 2017, with the greatest football team in the world, a buoyed economy, and packed streets and hotels.

   Despite buoyed expectations, experts nevertheless admit that the country is still lacking the means to fully realize its ambitious goals.

---

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of buoy.

Other Word Forms

• unbuoyed adjective

Etymology

Origin of buoyed

buoy ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Though seeking only feedback, not bids, and not backed by funding, the notice buoyed the hopes of activists who have engaged in a long and so-far fruitless effort to bring the chapel back to life.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The Blues will be buoyed by the return of striker Sam Kerr, who missed the first leg having been at the Asian Cup.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

The supply shock has buoyed shares of fertilizer producers like Yara, CF Industries and K+S, as investors bet the companies will benefit from higher prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Those funds had raised billions from wealthy individuals when high interest rates buoyed their yields.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

She felt buoyed by this thought, and wondered why she did not feel angry at her stepmother.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo