1
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
casual conversation drifting from one topic to another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
the boat drifted along on the current
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wander
to move about from place to place aimlessly
spent several years drifting from town to town, picking up odd jobs whenever he needed cash
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in tide
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the steady drift of the population away from large cities
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sense
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
you should expect a visit from the stork, if you get my drift
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of drift
Jim Root, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
That level of activity, the researchers say, may come not from its solid surface, but by icy debris drifting around it.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
The divisions included endurance and sports race cars, supercars, flat track motorcycles, sprint cars, drift cars, vintage IndyCars, NASCAR, ASF Cup cars (American Speed Festival) and a new group called LROC (Ladies Race of Champions).
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drift
Verb
Over the past decade, though, college hoops has been drifting toward a state of defensive homogeneity.
—Jim Root, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
That level of activity, the researchers say, may come not from its solid surface, but by icy debris drifting around it.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
By amplifying this phase signal through entanglement, the researchers could detect and correct laser drift more effectively.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
The divisions included endurance and sports race cars, supercars, flat track motorcycles, sprint cars, drift cars, vintage IndyCars, NASCAR, ASF Cup cars (American Speed Festival) and a new group called LROC (Ladies Race of Champions).
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drift
Verb
-
Officials in Charleston, South Carolina, made multiple city parking garages free while urging people in low-lying areas to move their vehicles as ocean water flowed onto land.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Global governance void whilst capital flows faster than regulation.—
Sean Evins,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, Belichick’s NFL past continues to hover around this situation, from questions about his legacy to regular flare-ups involving the Patriots to suspicions within UNC’s program that some of the negative headlines have origins in New England.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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While Shanghai’s September highs typically hover between 80 and 90 degrees, this year saw 23 days above 95 degrees from late August through early October.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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From wandering rare palm forests to navigating ancient waterways and spotting hundreds of migrating bird species, outdoor enthusiasts have much to explore.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
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Sometimes, it was described as fantastical, depicting unrealistic and strange juxtapositions, as though the black people in his paintings had wandered into a genre or set of conditions totally discordant with what the viewer considered their actual reality.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the seventh inning of Game 5, with Kyle Finnegan on the mound, Seattle announced Canzone to bat for Garver.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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The effigy site is one of 12 mounds in a 22-acre area.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That’s likely to make voters think twice before unseating her, even when national tides run against Republicans.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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For years, technological, geographical and financial hurdles impeded wave and tide energy development.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Eliminating the need for manual adjustments—whether for meals or for any other changes during the day—would give people with diabetes a tremendous sense of freedom.—
Carrie Arnold,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
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That choice can shape your income, your sense of purpose, and the arc of your career.—
Suzy Welch,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Lightweight yet durable enough to resist bumps while on the go, the carry-on suitcase is complete with spinner wheels and a telescopic handle to effortlessly glide through the airport.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
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The formula glides on with such ease, it’s basically designed for mirrorless application.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Young placed an accurate pass to McMillan on a slant route, but the ball bounced off McMillan’s hands and floated into the mitts of Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson for an interception.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
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From that starting spot, though, McKennie ran or floated into just about every zone in the attacking half.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drift. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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