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
While both candidates occupied the party’s progressive flank, Talarico presented himself as a Democrat who could speak the language of faith and values to voters who have drifted rightward in recent years.
—
Nik Popli, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Each photo op was capped off by explosive pyrotechnics yielding plumes of red and white smoke, which drifted toward the river and train tracks to the west across the backdrop of the Chicago skyline.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
The spirit of protest here is contextual rather than explicit, evoking an exhaustion similar to the darkness Bruce Springsteen captured in Nebraska as Vietnam drifted into the Reagan era.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026
Most of our supporters drifted home.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The Subaru spun out and drifted into the southbound lane, directly into the path of a black GMC Sierra driven by a 28-year-old Reno, Nevada, man.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026
As cruise line staff took her back to her room in the wheelchair, the woman drifted in and out of consciousness, the complaint said.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Billowing, acrid-smelling black clouds drifted over the turquoise waters of Banderas Bay.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Cars drifted more in the lane when people used touch screens and speed and accuracy of screen use declined when driving.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Nik Popli, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Each photo op was capped off by explosive pyrotechnics yielding plumes of red and white smoke, which drifted toward the river and train tracks to the west across the backdrop of the Chicago skyline.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
The spirit of protest here is contextual rather than explicit, evoking an exhaustion similar to the darkness Bruce Springsteen captured in Nebraska as Vietnam drifted into the Reagan era.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026
Most of our supporters drifted home.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The Subaru spun out and drifted into the southbound lane, directly into the path of a black GMC Sierra driven by a 28-year-old Reno, Nevada, man.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026
As cruise line staff took her back to her room in the wheelchair, the woman drifted in and out of consciousness, the complaint said.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Billowing, acrid-smelling black clouds drifted over the turquoise waters of Banderas Bay.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Cars drifted more in the lane when people used touch screens and speed and accuracy of screen use declined when driving.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifted
Verb
-
Trade flowed between the two power blocs of the world.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Some of that spending flowed through nonprofit groups that do not disclose their contributors.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Prices have wavered since then, and gold’s value hovered below $5,200 an ounce on March 6.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In 2025, the number of mobile connections hovered around 200 million for a population of 237 million people.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While there, the dog wandered off, and Chris brought her back.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Adventurous attendees wandered to the lower level, through a medieval-esque wooden door and right into the archives—where the originals were displayed between vintage magazines and press releases documenting their history.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wide receiver Puka Nacua and Davante Adams aren’t going anywhere, but the Tutu Atwell ship has officially sailed, and the Rams didn’t get much consistency out of their other three receivers last season.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Bogaerts tried to finish the double play, but his throw sailed into the stands, bringing Marte home and pushing the lead to 2-0 on the error.—
Noah Gulley,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Muschamp floated around to two different units during the viewing period, which mostly included individual drills for position groups.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Funding-wise, Giannoulias, who has been floated as a potential 2027 Chicago mayoral contender, had more than $6 million in his campaign coffers at the end of 2025, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This bit of mammoth tusk is about 2 feet long and looks more like a log than part of a big curved tooth from a hairy beast that roamed the tundra before going extinct thousands of years ago.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2026
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The genus Acanthochitona — the specific group to which feroxa belongs — developed about 92 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous, when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lane practically glided across the field, while catching everything thrown his way.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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As inklings of Hudson Williams‘ potential Saturday Night Live cameo percolated in the days leading up to his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie‘s debut hosting gig, the Canadian actor glided onto Studio 8H ice during a sketch.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cadets sophomore Pascal Zeruhn swam away with the 500-yard freestyle, winning the title by five and a half seconds.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Albarn swam in the Ganges, scattered his father’s ashes into its mythology.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifted. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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