1
as in recruiting
to pick especially for required military service
my grandfather was drafted to fight in a war that he opposed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in preparing
to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form
draft a letter to the local newspaper giving your views on the problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in pumping
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely
remember to draft the water from the pool so that we can close it up for the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 drafting
The Falcons, in the two years of coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot’s time working together, made a habit of drafting older players with leadership qualities.
—
Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 28 Feb. 2026
The Broncos were drafting Pat Surtain II, of course.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
The pair already had a relationship from drafting legislation on affordable child care.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors charged a Wisconsin legislator with disorderly conduct Wednesday in connection with a feud over who was involved with drafting resolutions honoring Hispanics last year.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Poles said drafting at the back of the first round won't change their philosophy.
—Matt Zahn, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
The Tigers’ decision, both drafting Clark and paying McGonigle an overslot $2,847,500, was a bold gambit for a franchise just returning to relevance.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Bloomberg reported Tuesday that White House officials are in the process of drafting a secondary executive order that would raise the rate in earnest to 15 percent.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
The Professional Sports Development Commission is drafting a request for proposals to develop a comprehensive master plan, Ziller reported.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 28 Feb. 2026
The Broncos were drafting Pat Surtain II, of course.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
The pair already had a relationship from drafting legislation on affordable child care.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors charged a Wisconsin legislator with disorderly conduct Wednesday in connection with a feud over who was involved with drafting resolutions honoring Hispanics last year.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Poles said drafting at the back of the first round won't change their philosophy.
—Matt Zahn, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
The Tigers’ decision, both drafting Clark and paying McGonigle an overslot $2,847,500, was a bold gambit for a franchise just returning to relevance.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Bloomberg reported Tuesday that White House officials are in the process of drafting a secondary executive order that would raise the rate in earnest to 15 percent.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
The Professional Sports Development Commission is drafting a request for proposals to develop a comprehensive master plan, Ziller reported.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drafting
Verb
-
Wiseman has played a key role in recruiting companies to join the demolition effort.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Morning Consult, which often partners with Politico, collects very large samples—sometimes in the tens of thousands—-by recruiting people online, which costs less than conducting phone calls.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Travelers preparing to explore Mexico’s archaeological sites or beaches are encouraged to prepare carefully.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The series, which follows elite riders preparing for the Run for a Million, where there is a $1M prize purse, aired its sixth season on CMT at the end of last year.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Across the calm waters behind a pumping station near Lake Borgne, hundreds of saplings stand out in the mist, wrapped in white plastic cylinders.—
Melina Walling,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
A couple of people pulled out knives and slipped over to puncture leather hoses pumping water to put out the fire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Here’s where the tough-on-crime folks will begin composing their angry emails.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Lama provides an artist-friendly approach to composing materials built from layers representing distinct physical phenomena.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Roughly 40% of federal spending now goes to defense and security, draining Russia’s economy and hollowing out its workforce.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Ball sizzled by draining 6 of 7 attempts beyond the arc in that period.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The House successfully repealed a national emergency levying tariffs against Canada last week.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The measure would prohibit any state from levying taxes retroactively on individuals who no longer live there.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If worries spike, try acknowledging them in writing to stop them from circling your mind.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Mar. 2026
-
There are often items such as dry-erase boards for writing letters and books to practice reading.—
MAKIYA SEMINERA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Misoprostol is taken 24 to 48 hours later and works by emptying the uterus.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Philadelphia led by 28 points in the fourth quarter before emptying the bench.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drafting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drafting. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
