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
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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
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Officials in Charleston, South Carolina, made multiple city parking garages free while urging people in low-lying areas to move their vehicles as ocean water flowed onto land.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
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Global governance void whilst capital flows faster than regulation.—
Sean Evins,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, Belichick’s NFL past continues to hover around this situation, from questions about his legacy to regular flare-ups involving the Patriots to suspicions within UNC’s program that some of the negative headlines have origins in New England.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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While Shanghai’s September highs typically hover between 80 and 90 degrees, this year saw 23 days above 95 degrees from late August through early October.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 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
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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
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In the seventh inning of Game 5, with Kyle Finnegan on the mound, Seattle announced Canzone to bat for Garver.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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The effigy site is one of 12 mounds in a 22-acre area.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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Lightweight yet durable enough to resist bumps while on the go, the carry-on suitcase is complete with spinner wheels and a telescopic handle to effortlessly glide through the airport.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
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The formula glides on with such ease, it’s basically designed for mirrorless application.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Young placed an accurate pass to McMillan on a slant route, but the ball bounced off McMillan’s hands and floated into the mitts of Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson for an interception.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
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From that starting spot, though, McKennie ran or floated into just about every zone in the attacking half.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drift. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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