as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method
wandered aimlessly through the forest until we were hopelessly lost
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Recent Examples of aimlessly
Alternatively, spend afternoons aimlessly wandering neighborhoods like Dorsoduro or Cannaregio, where small wine bars known as bacari serve local vino and cicchetti (think Venetian tapas like olives, crostini, and arancini).
—
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
Locals consistently rave about FIG and Leon’s Oyster Shop, though wandering around aimlessly—especially on the city’s lively King Street—is part of the fun, too.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
At the time, Castle was driving around aimlessly, McLaughlin said, before going to her mother’s house in the morning.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Verona almost won it in stoppage time but Kieron Bowie couldn’t keep his attempt on target after Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret flapped aimlessly at a cross.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
In less capable hands, these pieces could plod aimlessly and fade away, but Lawson knows how to wring complexity from a minimal set of elements.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 24 Feb. 2026
If cells were any less crowded, molecules would wander aimlessly and only rarely encounter their partner (or partners) in the chemical reactions that power life — metabolism, protein synthesis, growth, division, and more.
—Quanta Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026
Spurs never seemed capable of consistently creating high-quality chances from open play under Frank and instead would aimlessly recycle the ball between defence and midfield.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Dance in your living room, doodle aimlessly or spend an hour cloud-watching.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
Locals consistently rave about FIG and Leon’s Oyster Shop, though wandering around aimlessly—especially on the city’s lively King Street—is part of the fun, too.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
At the time, Castle was driving around aimlessly, McLaughlin said, before going to her mother’s house in the morning.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Verona almost won it in stoppage time but Kieron Bowie couldn’t keep his attempt on target after Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret flapped aimlessly at a cross.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
In less capable hands, these pieces could plod aimlessly and fade away, but Lawson knows how to wring complexity from a minimal set of elements.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 24 Feb. 2026
If cells were any less crowded, molecules would wander aimlessly and only rarely encounter their partner (or partners) in the chemical reactions that power life — metabolism, protein synthesis, growth, division, and more.
—Quanta Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026
Spurs never seemed capable of consistently creating high-quality chances from open play under Frank and instead would aimlessly recycle the ball between defence and midfield.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Dance in your living room, doodle aimlessly or spend an hour cloud-watching.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aimlessly
randomly
Adverb
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On Instagram Thursday, the Spanish singer randomly dropped an adorable picture of his brood.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
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The good Samaritan who helped a woman after she was randomly attacked in Queens is speaking out.—
John Dias,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aimlessly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aimlessly. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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