1
as in flowed
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 hovered
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 wandered
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifted
Our mutual social contacts have drifted away.
—
James Parker, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
The small vessel drifted away into the current of the Thames.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The week truly came alive at the Motorlux kick-off event at the Monterey Jet Center, where golden light stretched across the tarmac as guests drifted between planes and cars, champagne flutes in hand, catching an early glimpse of the days to come.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The buoys drifted for hours or days before the scientists went back in search of their equipment, with their fingers crossed the hydrophones and their data were floating close by and intact.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
In 2023, an $18 Big Mac combo meal went viral, sparking a debate that the chain has drifted from its affordability roots.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
On March 26, 2024, a cargo ship drifted into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a partial collapse and killing six people, including road workers who had been atop the structure.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2025
The ball drifted toward the warning crack in right-center when Lee slid to try to make the dive.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
As the ice later melted, the resulting ice rafts drifted in the wind, pushing the rocks along.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2025
James Parker, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
The small vessel drifted away into the current of the Thames.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The week truly came alive at the Motorlux kick-off event at the Monterey Jet Center, where golden light stretched across the tarmac as guests drifted between planes and cars, champagne flutes in hand, catching an early glimpse of the days to come.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The buoys drifted for hours or days before the scientists went back in search of their equipment, with their fingers crossed the hydrophones and their data were floating close by and intact.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
In 2023, an $18 Big Mac combo meal went viral, sparking a debate that the chain has drifted from its affordability roots.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
On March 26, 2024, a cargo ship drifted into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a partial collapse and killing six people, including road workers who had been atop the structure.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2025
The ball drifted toward the warning crack in right-center when Lee slid to try to make the dive.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
As the ice later melted, the resulting ice rafts drifted in the wind, pushing the rocks along.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifted
Verb
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Spot gold hovered around $3,500 after surpassing that level earlier in the session for the first time ever.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
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Going further back, a sun disk hovered over the ancient Egyptian god Ra, and in Eastern religions a nimbus halo appeared over the Buddha and the Hindu deities.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The 5-year-old, identified as William, slipped through the front gate of his family's home and wandered to a nearby Chick-fil-A, where he was greeted by the staff and treated to a breakfast sandwich, per the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO).—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Eli McCann, 41, (@eliwmccann) posted a clip on TikTok, recounting a moment from several years ago when his then 5-year-old niece was exploring his house and wandered into his bedroom.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Anisimova took the first set when Swiatek sailed a forehand long while serving at 4-5.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Putin, now in his third decade as Russia’s leader, sailed to a fifth term in office last year.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over objections from the ordinance's co-sponsors, however, the committee passed an amendment — floated by Councilman Khalil Batshon — that would retain a licensing requirement for accessory overnight shelters run by religious institutions.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Pioneer Press has also reached out to the Libertyville school districts as an unverified current town name being floated by claimants.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
High atop the Luossavaara Mountain in northern Sweden, Sami reindeer herder Lars-Marcus Kuhmunen mapped out a bleak future for himself and other Indigenous people whose reindeer have roamed this land for thousands of years.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
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Many of these injuries were caused by aerial bombardments, as Israel Defense Forces jets, helicopters and drones regularly roamed the skies, Burney said.—
Brendan Rascius,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With a garland of white flowers in front of him, a lone rower kneeling in a wooden canoe glided toward the DuSable Bridge docks.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Wearing a green track jacket and pearls, Billie Jean King glided out from behind the bar.—
Emily Bloch,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Plunging into the chilly waters off the western coast of Canada, a pair of scuba divers swam along the seafloor near an octopus.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Nix swam Denver back to the playoffs for the first time since Peyton Manning retired.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Once the cars arrived at the Kinnison family home, Robert was sitting in a lawn chair surrounded by loved ones as the cars strolled through.—
Keenan Thompson,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
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Once the cars arrived at the Kinnison family home, Robert was sitting in a lawn chair surrounded by loved ones as the cars strolled through.—
Keenan Thompson,
Freep.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifted. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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