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
According to a preliminary investigation, a passenger vehicle was traveling northbound in the third lane when, for an unknown reason, the driver drifted across the lanes.
—
Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
He was also injured in a car crash, had run-ins with the law, and drifted in and out of rehab.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Transparency drifted through Dior, Saint Laurent and Chloé in gossamer layers that revealed a floaty kind of allure, while leather — lightened up for spring — appeared in soft creams and chocolate, the unofficial non-color of the season.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Margit and Bonnie drifted further into Pam’s orbit and decided not to speak to Catherine, which made the lunchroom newly problematic.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Party leaders, hoping to win back support from some of the working-class supporters who have drifted away from them, have used the moment to remind voters of the recent cuts Republicans have approved to some health care programs.
—Amanda Seitz, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
But as the smoke drifted clear, the soldiers got up and staggered into the trees.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2025
The kick drifted wide right, maintaining the Browns’ slim three-point lead.
—Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
For unknown reasons, the driver drifted over the line into oncoming traffic and was hit by another vehicle, a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, the CHP release said.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
He was also injured in a car crash, had run-ins with the law, and drifted in and out of rehab.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Transparency drifted through Dior, Saint Laurent and Chloé in gossamer layers that revealed a floaty kind of allure, while leather — lightened up for spring — appeared in soft creams and chocolate, the unofficial non-color of the season.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Margit and Bonnie drifted further into Pam’s orbit and decided not to speak to Catherine, which made the lunchroom newly problematic.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Party leaders, hoping to win back support from some of the working-class supporters who have drifted away from them, have used the moment to remind voters of the recent cuts Republicans have approved to some health care programs.
—Amanda Seitz, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
But as the smoke drifted clear, the soldiers got up and staggered into the trees.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2025
The kick drifted wide right, maintaining the Browns’ slim three-point lead.
—Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
For unknown reasons, the driver drifted over the line into oncoming traffic and was hit by another vehicle, a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, the CHP release said.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifted
Verb
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Instead, encouraging words flowed over a deeply meaningful minute.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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Thousands more have flowed from the Hamanns to Anderson’s campaign to serve on the Central Committee of the county Republican Party.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Hornets are attempting to alter the narrative that’s hovered over the franchise for the better part of the past two decades and are fixated on doing it sooner than later.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Oct. 2025
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Bitcoin hovered around $115,000 on Monday, stabilizing after its drop below $105,000 on Friday but so far failing to recoup all of its losses.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Before Drew could say anything, Mike thumbed his collar and wandered off, still gazing at the color wheel.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Kevin Costner wandered through Robin Hood without ever stopping in Nottingham, vocally speaking.—
Remy Blumenfeld,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Spanish crew of 86 sailed for 35 days.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
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The receiver sprinted up the sideline more than 20 yards before turning inside, his defender trailing as the ball sailed toward the middle of the field.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some opponents to the BlackRock acquisition have floated the idea of city government buying AES to keep the public utility out of the hands of private equity.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
14 Oct. 2025
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The Palestinians being floated to join efforts to administer Gaza seem selected primarily for their palatability to foreign governments.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Known for a film repertoire that roamed from The Godfather (1972) and Manhattan (1979) to Baby Boom (1987), Keaton also cut a sartorial dash in fashion, with her penchant for bowler hats, bow ties and berets.—
Ellen Burney,
Vogue,
11 Oct. 2025
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Last season, Thompson was primarily a ballhandler in transition and roamed the dunker spot effectively.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yohannes delivered a long ball from Lyonnes’ half that Chawinga glided onto, catching Earps off her line and lifting it past the English goalkeeper to find the back of the net.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
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Elsewhere, Mariacarla Boscono glided through in Gucci, Donatella Versace traded words with Grigor Dimitrov, and a sea of Bottega Veneta clutches dotted the crowd.—
Sofia Viganò,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The archives stated that after the attack, more than 1,000 POWs ended up in the water as the ship sank, and many of them swam toward land, where Japanese military recaptured a lot.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Oct. 2025
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Carter swam inside behind Ojomo and had a clear path to Mayfield.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifted. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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