COASTING Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

coasting

verb

present participle of coast

as in flowing

to move or proceed smoothly and readily coasting along easily in the light traffic

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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 coasting The underwater vehicle was coasting about six feet above the ocean floor, two miles deep, when a pinkish, mysterious creature swam into its camera’s sights, drawing gasps in the research vessel floating at the surface. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 The easy route for Devers would be coasting the rest of the way, chalking up this season as lost and counting down the days until the offseason. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026 Russell outclassed him for 12 rounds, dropping him in the final frame before coasting to a lopsided unanimous decision victory. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Settling the score, meanwhile, is Randy Newman, whose fourth Pixar collaboration ambles along agreeably, accompanied by drivin’ tunes performed by Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow and Brad Paisley that are perfect for coasting along those alternate routes. — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026 The days of learning a skill once and coasting on it for life are over. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 8 June 2026 Cepeda was widely expected to advance to the second round as the only leftist candidate, coasting off of the fervent support from incumbent President Gustavo Petro’s base. — Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 31 May 2026 With the Brewers coasting to a 6-0 lead in the eighth inning, the 25-year-old struck out Alec Burleson and immediately launched into a series of WWE-style, D-Generation X crotch chops. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026 Heat shield faces test With the engine relight canceled, Starship spent much of the mission coasting quietly through space before beginning its return to Earth. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coasting

Verb

The Oktoberfest vibes continued throughout the ship with more live music, and the pumpkin beer never stopped flowing.

— ElleAnna Revell, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
That changed a bit earlier this month when the Houthis bombed the Saudi East-West pipeline, temporarily shutting down roughly 7 million barrels of oil flowing to the Red Sea – more than half of which had been diverted from the Strait of Hormuz.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of flowing

Verb

The British yard, which revealed its first catamaran at the Cannes Yachting Festival in early September, today unveiled a new flagship sailing superyacht that combines elegant design and meticulous craftsmanship with bluewater cruising capability.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
After a dismal outing on Sunday, the Indiana Fever got their spark back on Tuesday, cruising to a 96–77 win over the league-best Minnesota Lynx in their final game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse of the regular season.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of cruising

Verb

The nor'easter is weakening and drifting on Monday slowly northeast from Long Island, New York, to Massachusetts, into the Gulf of Maine by Tuesday.

— Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
Leaders should notice who is drifting to the edges, hold check-ins that go beyond tasks, design meetings so that every voice can be heard and create purposeful opportunities for people to work and reflect together.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of drifting

Verb

More cruise ships like Oceania Marina and Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot are sailing to remote destinations like Sisimiut, Narsaq, and Disko Island.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Mandel took the sentiment a step further, comparing Cowell’s absence to sailing without the person normally steering the ship.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of sailing

Verb

Infused with sunflower seed oil, castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil, squalane, and shea butter, Dear Dahlia’s Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow feels like, well, butter gliding onto your lips.

— Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
Then the foils lifted free, and the ship took to the sky, gliding low over the water like a pelican skimming the waves.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of gliding

Browse Nearby Words

coasters

coasting

coastland

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“Coasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coasting. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of coasting

verb

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