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.

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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

The U.S., buoyed by its large domestic energy industry and booming AI build-out, is positioned to weather the storm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The digital currency tends to outperform when investors lean into risk assets, which have been buoyed recently by the prospects of a sustained peace in Iran.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Chinese carmakers have quickly built up their presence in the lucrative European auto market, buoyed by technological advances their competitors are trying to copy, and analysts say their next step is to begin producing locally.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Activity had been stabilizing late in 2025, buoyed by German government stimulus and a pickup in sentiment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The only completely stationary object in the room was an enormous couch on which two young women were buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald