1
as in sipping
to swallow in liquid form
the doctor wants her to drink lots of water before the examination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in boozing
to partake excessively of alcoholic beverages
we're worried that she's started drinking again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in absorbing
to take in (something liquid) through small openings
the hot surface of the porous rock drank water like a sponge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drinking
Keep beverages and sweets covered, and be wary of drinking from soda cans outdoors since wasps can crawl inside.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
The protagonist then goads him into drinking enough to agree to spending the afternoon at her lake house.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
According to Finley, Doncic was drinking a beer shortly after he was given Western Conference Finals MVP honors in Minnesota.
—Chris Amaya, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
In other words, drinking more coffee tends to correlate with a lower risk for type 2 diabetes.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
Experts say regularly drinking high-sugar beverages can harm health, but is usually fine in moderation.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 5 Mar. 2026
While drinking enough water will help keep your skin hydrated, Emirates cabin crew member Alexandra Johnson said products are also key.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
George has a particular fondness for drinking out of my watering can.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 27 Feb. 2026
Charles has visited every continent on Earth, drinking rancid yak butter tea in Lhasa, snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos and even climbing an iceberg in Antarctica.
—Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
The protagonist then goads him into drinking enough to agree to spending the afternoon at her lake house.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
According to Finley, Doncic was drinking a beer shortly after he was given Western Conference Finals MVP honors in Minnesota.
—Chris Amaya, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
In other words, drinking more coffee tends to correlate with a lower risk for type 2 diabetes.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
Experts say regularly drinking high-sugar beverages can harm health, but is usually fine in moderation.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 5 Mar. 2026
While drinking enough water will help keep your skin hydrated, Emirates cabin crew member Alexandra Johnson said products are also key.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
George has a particular fondness for drinking out of my watering can.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 27 Feb. 2026
Charles has visited every continent on Earth, drinking rancid yak butter tea in Lhasa, snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos and even climbing an iceberg in Antarctica.
—Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
-
With spring quickly approaching, now is the time to refresh your porch decor for those upcoming days of sipping sweet tea outside.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Last but not least, don’t underestimate the importance of sipping on good old H2O throughout the day.—
Michele Ross,
SELF,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ferrara makes no bones about the catastrophic consequences of so much boozing and chasing the dragon on his personal life and finances.—
Nick Pinkerton,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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At the same time, unlike other artists of the bro-country ilk, Aldean personally refrained from boozing it up throughout the show, waiting to pull out a red Solo cup with a shot of tequila in it until there were just 11 minutes left in a set that ran 97.—
Theoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The shock-absorbing material reduces stress on joints, while a snug, streamlined design prevents them from slipping off.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Through a combination of buttery-smooth fabric, mighty arch support, impact-absorbing memory foam, and the kind of curved, rocker-like outsole that doles out both traction and momentum on any surface.—
Rudolf Obias,
Footwear News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This viral anti-slip slow feeder lick bowl helps prevent gulping and bloating, while keeping your dogs entertained for longer with a healthy, fun challenge.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Yes, gulping the liquid the night before was an ordeal — try drinking three liters of anything in three hours, going to sleep, then waking up six hours later for one final liter.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a bit of cutting-edge research, the 2007 Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to a British and an American pair of scientists for their penetrating report on sword swallowing and its side effects.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
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To be effective, there can be no eating, drinking, or swallowing other pills for 30 minutes afterwards.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Today, Morgan responded to some Good Morning Britain banter in which the show’s presenters jokingly suggested Morgan might have tripped after imbibing.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
19 Jan. 2026
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Enjoy watching the players battle it out on a giant projector while imbibing a Dope AF lychee martini or PB&J Old Fashioned.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drinking. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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