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
In past years, the Utah bison that drifted into Colorado near Rangely were typically shot after crossing state lines.
—
Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2026
Extra caution is also advised around ridgelines, gullies, and terrain features, where wind-drifted, stiffer slabs of snow tend to form.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
When next year came, Rice was in the NBA, and gradually the players drifted separate ways.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent reporting by the CommonWealth Beacon underscores how far Massachusetts’ climate framework has drifted from real-world enforcement.
—Tom J. Pyle, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
As the pandemic and the 2020 election campaign wore on, Webster drifted further and further to the right.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
The issue had largely drifted out of the headlines in recent months.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
His film career drifted into low-budget and straight-to-video fare.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 4 Jan. 2026
The issue had largely drifted out of the headlines in recent months.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2026
Extra caution is also advised around ridgelines, gullies, and terrain features, where wind-drifted, stiffer slabs of snow tend to form.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
When next year came, Rice was in the NBA, and gradually the players drifted separate ways.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent reporting by the CommonWealth Beacon underscores how far Massachusetts’ climate framework has drifted from real-world enforcement.
—Tom J. Pyle, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
As the pandemic and the 2020 election campaign wore on, Webster drifted further and further to the right.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
The issue had largely drifted out of the headlines in recent months.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
His film career drifted into low-budget and straight-to-video fare.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 4 Jan. 2026
The issue had largely drifted out of the headlines in recent months.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifted
Verb
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His case illustrates how power in Venezuela has often flowed through opaque military and intelligence channels rather than formal political office.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The moment a user joined or viewed a meeting, the information flowed out.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Crude oil prices have hovered around $60 a barrel in recent days.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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At its peak in 2000, GE’s market cap hovered around $600 billion, more than $1 trillion in today’s dollars.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even with several adults nearby, including Bethany and her cousin, Emmie quietly wandered back toward the pool.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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On one of her first days at Mira Mesa High School, then-freshman Samantha Truong wandered into the gym, looking for a CIF girls tennis championship banner hanging on a wall.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Guard Deja Jones started, but her recent struggles continued and head coach Zenarae Antoine pulled her quickly after a bad transition pass sailed over the head of forward Taleiyah Gibbs.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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But the rookie’s kick sailed wide right just as time expired, sending the Steelers into the playoffs and ending the Ravens’ season on a heartbreaking note.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Whenever the president floated some bizarre policy idea, issued a new threat, or told a brazen lie about the state of the economy, Hassett would be one of the first people on cable news justifying it.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
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The secretary of state did not answer questions about the use of military force to acquire the territory, which has been floated as an option by the White House.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And centerfielder Andy Pages, a defensive replacement who had just entered the game for Tommy Edman, roamed wildly into left center to grab a fly ball hit by Ernie Clement.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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In the kitchen, the inspector counted 22 roach corpses, 15 of them on the floor around fryers where three survivors roamed.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For the past few months, one vertical inch at a time, that machine glided up, down and across its gantry system to create the high-ceiling, single-story home before it.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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Dressed in an eye-catching ensemble that perfectly highlighted her bold style, Eva glided down the runway, serving face and fierce attitude.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Prior to March 2020, guests at La Selva swam in the lagoon.—
Noah Lederman,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2026
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An avid runner, Enslin, 48, also has swam regularly at the state park since 1977.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifted. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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