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

Washington instead drifted to his right as Mendoza threw, allowing Woodaz to undercut and intercept. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

But now, Wright says Wendy’s has drifted from some of those qualities, telling investors that decisions made in the interest of cost and efficiency had degraded some of the food quality that set the chain apart. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

These strategic collaborations not only bring thoughtful products to the marketplace, but may also bring adults who drifted away from the brand back to Disney Princess thanks to a sense of nostalgia for a favorite movie or character. — Megan Dubois, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Ly, 16, and her sister Nhi, 13, two of nine children from a fishing family on Vietnam’s rocky northern coast, have long drifted in and out of school as the family struggled to make ends meet. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Sadly or maybe justly, the Dodgers have drifted into ineptitude of late, while the Tarik Skubal-less Tigers have suddenly gotten hot and leapfrogged several teams to move into the last wild-card slot. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

On Wednesday, Omani authorities said the spill had drifted to reach the mainland, affecting 25 miles (40km) of the Ras Madrakah coastline, more than 124 miles (200km) away from the tanker. — Sarah El Sirgany, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Turkey has diplomatic and military relations with Israel, but the two countries have drifted apart in recent years. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

As the moon drifted past the sun, the first glimpses of the sun began to reveal themselves as the path of totality moved onwards towards Spain. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026