Synonyms of drift

drift 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to flow

to move or proceed smoothly and readily

casual conversation drifting from one topic to another

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flow
• glide
• sail
• slip
• sweep
• slide
• stream
• coast
• brush
• cruise
• race
• breeze
• roll
• fly
• speed
• rush
• skim
• bowl
• whisk

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• struggle
• flounder
• limp
• stumble
• trudge
• shuffle
• plod
• lumber
• stamp
• stomp
• labor
• tramp
• toil
• stump
• shamble

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

• hover
• float
• sail
• swim
• glide
• ride
• waft
• hang
• bob
• suspend
• dangle
• poise
• buoy
• raft
• balloon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• settle
• sink
• dive
• plunge
• lunge
• dip
• submerge
• immerse
• submerse

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

• wander
• roam
• float
• stroll
• cruise
• meander
• range
• rove
• knock (about)
• ramble
• traipse
• bat
• saunter
• amble
• gallivant
• kick around
• maunder
• mooch
• gad (about)
• dawdle
• stray
• straggle
• mill (about or around)
• mope
• tramp
• vagabond
• hobo

drift

2 of 2

noun

ˈdrift 

1

as in mound

a pile or ridge of granular matter (as sand or snow)

deep drifts of snow blocked our driveway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mound
• bank
• tuft
• mountain
• bar
• stack
• embankment
• heap
• snowdrift
• snowbank
• mass
• hill
• sandbar

2

as in tide

a prevailing or general movement or inclination

the steady drift of the population away from large cities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tide
• tendency
• direction
• trend
• wind
• shift
• current
• run
• turn
• curve
• leaning
• swing
• habit
• tenor
• propensity
• downside
• way
• custom
• upside
• turnabout
• countercurrent
• undertow
• undercurrent
• countertrend

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

• sense
• meaning
• content
• significance
• import
• intention
• intent
• definition
• theme
• message
• implication
• connotation
• nature
• cue
• signification
• indication
• stuff
• denotation
• suggestion
• purport
• hint
• acceptance
• topic
• essence
• clue
• tenor
• soul
• inkling
• subject
• spirit
• burden
• motive
• heart
• point
• bottom
• question
• matter
• marrow
• intimation
• nucleus
• motif
• core
• kernel
• gist
• acceptation
• quick
• crux
• nub
• essentiality
• pith

Synonym Chooser

How is the word drift different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of drift are current, tendency, tenor, and trend. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces, or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse.

the drift of the population away from large cities

got the drift of her argument

When could current be used to replace drift?

The words current and drift can be used in similar contexts, but current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

When would tendency be a good substitute for drift?

The words tendency and drift are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

Where would tenor be a reasonable alternative to drift?

Although the words tenor and drift have much in common, tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

When can trend be used instead of drift?

The synonyms trend and drift are sometimes interchangeable, but trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of drift

Verb

He’s also teamed with Sam Obey, Will Epstein, and Celia Hollander to explore drifting ambient music and spiritual jazz. —Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026

After all, some of your friends might not be feverish fútbol fans like yourself — their eyes may drift from the pitch battle every now and then. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2026

Noun

San Antonio's star big man has intentionally tried to get the ball close to the basket rather than drift toward the 3-point line, and he's been rewarded with two baskets at the rim. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 June 2026

The years since have been a slow drift from one dead end to the next, chasing rumors of her brothers that go nowhere. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 June 2026