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
And while the Gen Xer is leaning on coffee to fuel his massive company turnaround effort—drinking around three times more than the average American pouring two to three cups a day—Gen Z is really who keeps him on his toes, advising him to constantly grow in his role.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Avoid regularly drinking beverages above 140 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent these risks.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Feb. 2026
The idea of drinking mushroom tea might not initially sound appealing, but chaga has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
In fact, ayurvedic medicine has its own parallel in the form of the ritual usha paana, which involves drinking lukewarm or room-temp water on an empty stomach in the early hours.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Feb. 2026
However, drinking coffee while taking certain cold and flu medications can worsen side effects.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 5 Feb. 2026
Galloway is a happy user of both substances, and treats drinking as a pleasure best enjoyed in youth.
—Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2026
Advice for preventing or treating UTIs has long focused on diet — think cranberry juice, avoiding coffee or drinking more water.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Senate rules prohibit senators from being drunk or drinking while on the Senate floor, Jett said.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 29 Jan. 2026
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Avoid regularly drinking beverages above 140 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent these risks.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Feb. 2026
The idea of drinking mushroom tea might not initially sound appealing, but chaga has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
In fact, ayurvedic medicine has its own parallel in the form of the ritual usha paana, which involves drinking lukewarm or room-temp water on an empty stomach in the early hours.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Feb. 2026
However, drinking coffee while taking certain cold and flu medications can worsen side effects.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 5 Feb. 2026
Galloway is a happy user of both substances, and treats drinking as a pleasure best enjoyed in youth.
—Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2026
Advice for preventing or treating UTIs has long focused on diet — think cranberry juice, avoiding coffee or drinking more water.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Senate rules prohibit senators from being drunk or drinking while on the Senate floor, Jett said.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
-
In a video shared on X by a fan account, the 36-year-old is seen chatting with some pals while sipping a drink.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
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For the multitudes who dreamed of sipping their beer in the open air beneath the sunny skies on San Pedro Street in downtown San Jose, your day has arrived.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Earlier Thursday, the Nets also waived veteran forward Haywood Highsmith, freeing another roster spot while absorbing additional dead cap.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Now, rather than invest in more powerful and more expensive technologies, some scientists are using an alternative technique called expansion microscopy, which inflates the subject using the same moisture-absorbing material found in diapers.—
Molly Herring,
Quanta Magazine,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Protostars are messy and dynamic, gulping down material in spurts and fits and ejecting powerful outflows of wind and jets that punch into the surrounding clouds.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The cayenne pepper lingers on the tongue for a full minute after gulping the shot down.—
April Benshosan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The Marvel cinematic universe has a reputation for swallowing up directors and stripping them of any of their personal artistic sensibilities in favor of the MCU’s house style.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Wang emphasizes that accidentally swallowing an occasional lemon or grapefruit seed poses no meaningful risk for healthy adults.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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 Feb. 2026.
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