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
The logger and railsplitter occasionally encounters American eccentrics, like a chatty drifter prone to sporting bible verses and an old coot of a demolitions expert with a philosophical bent.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2025
His curiosity is mirrored by that of Lewis Moon, a free-spirited drifter with both Cheyenne and Choctaw ancestry, who has been contracted by the government to drop bombs on the Niaruna, in an effort to scatter the tribe.
—Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
The drifter who confessed to killing an inventor and his wife was executed Tuesday night, more than three decades after the double murder in their Miami business.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
In any case, these are Beckett’s drifters, no doubt, right down to the aching feet and bad breath.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drifter
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2025
His curiosity is mirrored by that of Lewis Moon, a free-spirited drifter with both Cheyenne and Choctaw ancestry, who has been contracted by the government to drop bombs on the Niaruna, in an effort to scatter the tribe.
—Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
The drifter who confessed to killing an inventor and his wife was executed Tuesday night, more than three decades after the double murder in their Miami business.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
In any case, these are Beckett’s drifters, no doubt, right down to the aching feet and bad breath.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drifter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifter
Noun
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However, the wheels are just intended for minor on-site movements, not for towing on a public road, so this isn't a good choice for would-be nomads.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Jan. 2026
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Best Hotels & Resorts Nomad Hotel Dieter Roelen and Monica Mascaros, the husband-and-wife duo behind Nomad Hotel, spent 20 years living like nomads and traveling around the world.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This Victorian town of just over 2,000 is a diverse blend of artists, spiritual seekers, motorcyclists, weekend wanderers, and retirees.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2026
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Voice like a warm porchlight left on for wanderers who kissed goodbye too soon or stayed too long.—
Alex Abramovich,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Located about 30 minutes south of Palm Beach and just over an hour north of Miami, Delray Beach has become one of South Florida’s most appealing destinations for travelers who want easy beach access without giving up good food, culture, or walkability.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
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But many travelers have deeper needs to be met.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
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Add in accessories like a matching leather clutch, boots, and wayfarer sunglasses to be styled to perfection.—
Ariel Bielsky,
InStyle,
1 Jan. 2026
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Our favorite budget sunnies for all outdoor activities, the Goodr OG is a wayfarer-style frame with lenses that cannot be beat for the price.—
Will Porter,
Outside,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifter. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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