as in plodding
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as in strolling
to travel by foot for exercise or pleasure
the couple enjoys ambling along the many footpaths that meander through the park
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ambling
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Seattle is an outdoor lover’s paradise packed with things to do in all four seasons, from summer hiking and fall leaf-peeping to winter snow sports and ambling around downtown in the spring, when the rain starts to ease up and summer crowds haven't yet arrived.
—Scott Bay, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
Taken 34 more throw-ins than anyone in the division, but his game is about so much more than that particular set piece; has produced the most dribbles by a defender, is great on defensive duels and loves randomly ambling forward at all angles to cause carnage in the opposition third.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
And despite its ambling, almost shapeless nature, Who by Fire is never boring, because Lesage and his actors fill every scene with surprise and suspense.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Walking past the kitchen, which always smelled of spice and good food, Yazid thought of his ambling bulk and felt inadequate and experienced the loneliness that sometimes plagued him in the night.
—Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
She was photographed ambling along Firehole River, frolicking with her young ones in the meadow in front of Old Faithful Lodge, and even seeming to pose alongside the famous geyser.
—JSTOR Daily, 19 Nov. 2025
This shaded area is worth ambling through even if children are not in tow.
—Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Proto-Gabrielle in the Atlantic The most uncertain forecast of the three storms is the blob of storminess in the central Atlantic that's currently ambling its way west across the ocean.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Forget cows ambling in biodiverse pastures.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Seattle is an outdoor lover’s paradise packed with things to do in all four seasons, from summer hiking and fall leaf-peeping to winter snow sports and ambling around downtown in the spring, when the rain starts to ease up and summer crowds haven't yet arrived.
—Scott Bay, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
Taken 34 more throw-ins than anyone in the division, but his game is about so much more than that particular set piece; has produced the most dribbles by a defender, is great on defensive duels and loves randomly ambling forward at all angles to cause carnage in the opposition third.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
And despite its ambling, almost shapeless nature, Who by Fire is never boring, because Lesage and his actors fill every scene with surprise and suspense.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Walking past the kitchen, which always smelled of spice and good food, Yazid thought of his ambling bulk and felt inadequate and experienced the loneliness that sometimes plagued him in the night.
—Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
She was photographed ambling along Firehole River, frolicking with her young ones in the meadow in front of Old Faithful Lodge, and even seeming to pose alongside the famous geyser.
—JSTOR Daily, 19 Nov. 2025
This shaded area is worth ambling through even if children are not in tow.
—Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Proto-Gabrielle in the Atlantic The most uncertain forecast of the three storms is the blob of storminess in the central Atlantic that's currently ambling its way west across the ocean.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambling
Adjective
-
His jogging gait is a bit plodding.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
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His two-time matchup was Alejandro Kirk, an excellent hitter but, at 5-foot-8 and 245 pounds, a plodding runner.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Otherwise, consider the more posh neighborhoods of Chelsea and Kensington—ideal for leisurely days spent browsing boutiques and art galleries or strolling over to Notting Hill for coffee and craft bakeries.—
Katharine Sohn,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2026
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Whether you’re headed to a garden wedding or simply strolling the neighborhood on a sunny Sunday, a floral dress is the easiest way to lean into the romance of the season.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For six of the last seven years, this franchise has been wandering aimlessly through the wilderness of baseball purgatory.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
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For a club that spent its early MLS years wandering through mediocrity, Pareja became the steady hand that finally made Orlando City a consistent contender.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Just over eight minutes were remaining on the clock when the buzz kicked up inside Spectrum Center again, all because the usual main attraction was sauntering to the scorer’s table.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
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The mall’s closure was a personal loss for him and many others who made lifelong memories sauntering the retail space.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Thomas missed 57 games last season, mostly because of the same lingering left hamstring issue.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
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On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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While Dickey is a well-rounded adventurer, with deep climbing and canyoneering experience, her niche is highlining, which involves walking a narrow line rigged high above the earth.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
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Outdoor activities may require some flexibility, but brief wet periods shouldn’t disrupt plans for walking the beach, shopping or dining outside.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For this Nuggets lineup, the average comes out to a pedestrian 6-9, with three capable perimeter defenders to assist the heavy-footed centers, two 40% 3-point shooters to space the floor, and a surplus of play-making talent.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
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The Knicks whipped the ball around the perimeter before Brunson used a Towns screen as a decoy to freeze Gobert and launch a pass to Anunoby that he’s forced to catch in stride and blow past the heavy-footed center for a bucket.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambling. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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