as in gypsies
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 drifters
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
Shu Qi has spent her career embodying other people’s stories — enigmatic drifters for Hou Hsiao-hsien, comic foils in international action franchises, or, more recently, the tragic heroine of Bi Gan’s Cannes award winner Resurrection.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Most of them were migrant workers, young drifters, and then some co-renters.
—Jack Hargreaves, The Dial, 9 Sep. 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
Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Shu Qi has spent her career embodying other people’s stories — enigmatic drifters for Hou Hsiao-hsien, comic foils in international action franchises, or, more recently, the tragic heroine of Bi Gan’s Cannes award winner Resurrection.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Most of them were migrant workers, young drifters, and then some co-renters.
—Jack Hargreaves, The Dial, 9 Sep. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifters
Noun
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Already, some skywatchers have caught sight of these icy wanderers.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
10 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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Sometimes, though, nomads fall in love with a new country and want to stay forever.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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This is a chic and practical pick for travelers, thanks to the adjustable strap and large one-liter capacity.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Forecasters are urging travelers to check state road condition websites before setting out, as snow and ice are likely on high-elevation roads and mountain passes.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifters. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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