as in nomad
a person who roams about without a fixed route or destination
the drifter just packed up and moved on to the next dead-end job
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifter
And the trickster god Elegba, Orisha of the crossroads, stands between them, a wily ex-con buddy of Oshoosi’s — not bad, not good, a Mephistophelean drifter who secretly longs for the fraternal intimacy that is his friend’s by birthright.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Most of them were migrant workers, young drifters, and then some co-renters.
—Jack Hargreaves, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
Young, unemployed family man Nick (MacKay) volunteers to take the boat back out, along with taciturn, new-in-town drifter Liam (Turner) and grizzled seadog Murgey (Francis Magee).
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Entrants included everything from historic race cars to JDM drifters, time attack competition cars and off-roaders.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drifter
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Most of them were migrant workers, young drifters, and then some co-renters.
—Jack Hargreaves, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
Young, unemployed family man Nick (MacKay) volunteers to take the boat back out, along with taciturn, new-in-town drifter Liam (Turner) and grizzled seadog Murgey (Francis Magee).
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Entrants included everything from historic race cars to JDM drifters, time attack competition cars and off-roaders.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drifter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifter
Noun
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These friends, all Amazigh (Berber) nomads, have embarked on a musical voyage to celebrate their roots and share the richness of their heritage with the world.—
Jake Richardson,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
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Their sophomore effort is a fantasy following Princess Diana, who falls in love with young nomad Lalo against her father’s wishes.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Spirit has spent more than a year trying to offer travelers roomier seats and other fare packages beyond the cheap tickets and a la carte add-ons like seat selection and cabin baggage that it’s been known for for years.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
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United's four-times-weekly flights from Newark aim to connect American travelers with the cultural and coastal attractions of Puglia, including the region's iconic trulli dwellings.—
Ben Kelly,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Yeti has long been a go-to brand for adventurers and weekend wanderers alike, thanks to its durable coolers, tumblers, and drinkware that keep food and beverages at the perfect temperature.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
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The options were powerful, immortal, stranger or wanderer.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Animals that are kennel-trained will likely be pleased to be in their cozy confines and away from the bustle of vacuums, mops, and the like, but for those who are roamers, consider gating off an area for them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifter. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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