1
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
casual conversation drifting from one topic to another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
the boat drifted along on the current
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wander
to move about from place to place aimlessly
spent several years drifting from town to town, picking up odd jobs whenever he needed cash
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in tide
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the steady drift of the population away from large cities
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sense
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
you should expect a visit from the stork, if you get my drift
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 drift
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Pack ice, a type of free-floating ice that drifts on the open ocean, surrounds Antarctica.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2025
At the very moment predictable frameworks are becoming a competitive asset, Europe risks signalling drift.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drift
Verb
Every October, when Earth drifts through the dusty trail left behind by Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, the Draconids make their cosmic comeback.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Pack ice, a type of free-floating ice that drifts on the open ocean, surrounds Antarctica.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
Parcels can arrive damaged to some extent, or drift away and become hard to retrieve.
—New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2025
At the very moment predictable frameworks are becoming a competitive asset, Europe risks signalling drift.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drift
Verb
-
Keeping your centerpieces low and unobtrusive is a dinner party must to allow conversation to flow.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Trump insists that trillions in new investment are flowing in, the trade deficit is shrinking, and the nation is flush enough to consider mailing out checks.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After the screening, video circulated online of the True Blood alum, wearing a white Magliano T-shirt with an image of a boot hovering over a man's outstretched tongue, hugging Pascal and kissing him on the cheek while the cast received a standing ovation at the screening.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Continuing jobless claims, which are submitted by people who have filed for at least a week or more of unemployment, have been hovering at around four-year highs, Department of Labor data shows.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The southernmost individual on record lives in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro, just 200 kilometers from Mexico City, while the northernmost populations wander the Arctic coasts in northern Canada and Alaska.—
Ganesh Marín,
The Dial,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The mind could wander briefly about the Giants riding a two-game winning streak into a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Eagles, equipped to knock off their tormentors who suddenly look vulnerable.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Robertson then returned to the mound for the seventh — and immediately put two on.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The jar was then sealed and tucked into an ant mound to ferment overnight.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lloyd showed off his athleticism from there, returning the pick 99 yards for a turn-the-tide touchdown.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Fall in South Florida is not marked by changing leaves, but by rising tides.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Growing up, and well into my early adulthood, my grandma was my best friend—a person who fostered a sense of confidence in me, loved me unconditionally, and gave me the best taste in everything nostalgic from her younger years.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The final finished 14-14, but my abiding memory is the intoxicating swirl of noise and colour created by almost 93,000 fans, plus the sense of anticipation that accompanied the pre-match walk up Olympic Way.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On third-and-11 in the first quarter, Iamaleava spotted a sliver of daylight that wasn’t there a blink before and turned it into a 22-yard jailbreak up the gut, gliding past white jerseys.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The simplicity is intentional so your eye isn't bouncing, but rather gliding through the room.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Another feature that’s worth highlighting is the 129 square-foot sleeping loft that can accommodate a bed, small nightstands, floating shelves, and even a houseplant or two.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Nonetheless, one of the members of his team tells me, Speed recently floated the idea of streaming nonstop for an entire year.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drift. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share