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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of drift
Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
Growing up, Jean-Michel Basquiat chose to be a drifting bohemian, but the nightclub culture that became his second home was starting to interact with the media in a new way.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 June 2026
New Atlas, 8 June 2026
Fans saw the trucks jump high into the air, drift around tight turns, smash into vehicles and perform hit backwards wheelies.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for drift
Verb
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
Growing up, Jean-Michel Basquiat chose to be a drifting bohemian, but the nightclub culture that became his second home was starting to interact with the media in a new way.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 June 2026
Noun
Rather than requiring precise positional data, the system learns using odometry estimates that are themselves imperfect and subject to drift.
—New Atlas, 8 June 2026
Fans saw the trucks jump high into the air, drift around tight turns, smash into vehicles and perform hit backwards wheelies.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for drift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drift
Verb
-
Still, there has been a notable shift in tone, largely flowing from Pope Francis and continuing under Leo, that embrace a warmer, more welcoming attitude toward LGBTQ communities.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
Below that, the main deck is equipped with a spacious salon that flows onto the aft deck, the swim platform, and a garage with space for a 16-foot tender and a Jet Ski.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
Verb
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In 1800, just as the first true vaccine—against smallpox—came into use, life expectancy at birth hovered around thirty years worldwide.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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With an average unit cost hovering around $800,000 for the first three broadcasts of this year’s Finals, Disney is already close to eclipsing last season’s seven-game ad haul, which EDO AdEngage estimates pegged at $288 million.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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These suede clog mules are an easy choice for everything, including early bakery runs, long travel days, and wandering through mountain towns.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
-
Fueled up after a good breakfast, there’s nothing more NorCal than wandering around a farmers market and ogling the seasonal produce.—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Roberts and a trainer came out from the Dodgers’ dugout to check on Wrobleski who hobbled back to the mound, ready to stay in the game.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
-
An athletic trainer followed him, circling back to the mound.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Its backers anticipated the early vote would not break their way, but ballots cast on Election Day would turn the tide.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
Ukraine’s use of cutting edge drone technology is turning the tide in the war with Russia.—
Greg Dixon,
NPR,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
With it, comes a public sense of ownership of its most important characters.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
Lundgren shares some wise words about how being a man is more than muscles, and about getting in front of himself — which doesn't make sense at the time, but will later.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Verb
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On the basketball court, Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler has carved a 14-year career by gliding through space with the melodic flow of an orchestra.—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
-
Ice skating’s governing body is gliding into a presidential election Friday, free of the turmoil that just gripped its Olympic sibling skiing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The music floats into the night, mingling with the scent of the food trucks still serving here and there.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
-
One child left the float while in shallow water and walked back to shore, but the other continued floating deeper into the reservoir, agency officials said in the release.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drift. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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