Synonyms of drifted

drifted

verb

past tense of drift

1

as in flowed

to move or proceed smoothly and readily

casual conversation drifting from one topic to another

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flowed
• sailed
• glided
• slipped
• swept
• slid
• rolled
• brushed
• cruised
• flew
• raced
• sped
• rushed
• streamed
• coasted
• skimmed
• bowled
• breezed
• whisked

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• struggled
• floundered
• stumbled
• trudged
• limped
• shuffled
• plodded
• lumbered
• stamped
• labored
• stomped
• tramped
• toiled
• stumped
• shambled

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

• hovered
• sailed
• floated
• swam
• glided
• wafted
• rode
• bobbed
• poised
• hung
• suspended
• dangled
• buoyed
• rafted
• ballooned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• settled
• sank
• plunged
• dived
• lunged
• submerged
• immersed
• dipped
• submersed

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

• wandered
• roamed
• strolled
• floated
• cruised
• meandered
• ranged
• roved
• knocked (about)
• rambled
• traipsed
• batted
• sauntered
• gallivanted
• ambled
• mooched
• maundered
• strayed
• gadded (about)
• kicked around
• dawdled
• straggled
• tramped
• moped
• hoboed
• milled (about or around)
• vagabonded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of drifted

In a statement to CBS Colorado, the FAA said that a safety risk assessment identified incidents in which aircraft drifted toward other planes departing at the same time on parallel runways. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

The smoke has drifted as far as the Philippines, more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) away. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

That trend has been personified by Democrats’ performances in Youngstown and Mahoning County as voters drifted toward the Republican Party since 2012. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

The opticals, meaning the fades and shot changes, drifted in and out of focus. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Afterward, as more than 750 guests drifted toward their tables—featuring a menu curated by three chefs— Sarah Andelman praised Blazy’s look for Marchand and Louvet. — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026

In July, Tropical Storm Bertha formed along the northeastern Gulf Coast and drifted west, parallel to the shore, crossing the tip of Louisiana and ultimately moving inland at the Texas-Louisiana border. — Judson Jones, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026

The team continuously received the returning light while the airship drifted. — New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

After the young widow stepped back behind the black curtains, where scoops of mint chocolate chip in disposable bamboo bowls drifted through a room of donors and White House staffers, the evening moved from celebration to wake. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026