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

High gold prices over the quarter buoyed the company’s financials.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

SPX continues to be buoyed by traders playing “catch-up” after having missed the swift upward turn in the market.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Professional investors grew more optimistic, buoyed by the approach of first-quarter earnings season: analysts were still projecting double-digit profit growth, making cheaper shares look like a bargain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

That buoyed annual inflation to 2.4%, after cooling for a second month running in February to 1.8%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Though they didn’t carry the same weight as a coach in the coach’s box, they soothed my soul and buoyed my spirits to no end.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad