drill 1 of 3

1
as in routine
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity shuttling the kids between extracurricular activities is all part of the suburban drill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in exercise
something done over and over in order to develop skill doing vocabulary drills all afternoon in preparation for the test

Synonyms & Similar Words

drill

2 of 3

verb (1)

drill

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to plant
to put or set into the ground to grow he drills soybeans in the same rows with corn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 drill
Noun
During the second practice of training camp on Wednesday afternoon, Pickens and Lamb stuck by each other for most of the practice, participating in individual drills, team drills and sideline activities while being basically attached at the hip. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2025 During 11-on-11 drills, Corley bobbled a pass from undrafted free agent Brady Cook and ultimately dropped it. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
Verb
The second phase of the project, which is yet to be approved, includes drilling another 15 holes up to 2,000 feet deep each on 559 acres surrounding the first eight holes. Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025 But Stevenson drilled one from the corner on the next possession to ice the game for Miami. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for drill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill
Noun
  • The traditional 9-to-5 office routine is fading fast.
    Sharon Wu, USA Today, 31 July 2025
  • The Time Warp Trap Andrew Scott, in his book, The longevity imperative, explains how routines speed up time.
    Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • And so billionaire philanthropy is an exercise of power and deserves skepticism rather than gratitude.
    Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
  • Much of their work takes place before extreme weather hits, with tabletop simulations, relationship building exercises and other activities designed to foster close working relationships between weather forecasters, emergency managers and local leaders.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • If you’re done with the grind, fed up of chasing up and convinced there’s another way, here’s what to do instead.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • There might only be a few starters from this group, but this collection of players can be key to rounding out the roster for the grind of a season Freeman hopes goes deep into January.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • This was a common practice in British rule, as seen with the Irish tenant farmers, as well as in Great Britain’s dominant involvement in the slave trade.
    Tanya Talaga July 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
  • Early on in Wednesday morning’s training camp practice, Demani Richardson made a play that transported you to another time and place.
    Alex Zietlow July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • The lack of an extension led the 29-year-old to express his frustration through a brief training camp holdout after talks stalled in mid-July.
    Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • The academy/training center may help the sport survive in the post-House settlement world.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 31 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on drill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!