1
as in to flow
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 to hover
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 to wander
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
1
2
as in tide
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the steady drift of the population away from large cities
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sense
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
you should expect a visit from the stork, if you get my drift
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of drift
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
The stock drifted lower to around $1,135 by Friday's close.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Yet as the hours drift by—and, of course, the makgeolli flows—Donghwa’s anxieties gradually surface.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drift
Verb
On the par-5 seventh hole, Mickelson's third shot drifted toward the water's edge.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
The stock drifted lower to around $1,135 by Friday's close.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
This will likely lead to more off-target drift, which would be detrimental to any nonresistant crops, nonagricultural plants and home gardens.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Yet as the hours drift by—and, of course, the makgeolli flows—Donghwa’s anxieties gradually surface.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drift
Verb
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In short, STEGs are devices where one side is cold and the other hot, and electricity flows through semiconductors placed between them.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Aug. 2025
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The more people who visit the park, the more money flows into its leisure sector.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median employee tenure in US industries hovers around 3.9 years, while voluntary quits remain persistently high.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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That means the Knicks — already hovering just under the second tax apron — would need to match LeBron’s salary in any trade.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
While Snell and catcher Will Smith appealed to the first-base umpire, Laureano wandered away from second base, looking back over his shoulder for the call from first-base umpire Chris Guccione.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
23 Aug. 2025
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O'Reilly wandered into an Irish pub called John D. McGurk's to celebrate — and on stage that night was JigJam and its singer, Jamie McKeogh.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
All-Star Casey Mize is on the mound tonight against the Athletics in West Sacramento, trying to avenge a 7-6 extra-inning loss that saw some fireworks but ended with a whimper on a walk-off walk.—
Christian Romo,
Freep.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Manager Craig Counsell anticipates Taillon throwing off a mound Wednesday at Oracle Park so the Cubs can gauge how the veteran starter feels and then make a decision about his next start.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Humans are, after all, 60% water—and the moon controls the tides.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Implicit in their impassioned defenses was the belief that the role of a humanist is to preserve knowledge, safeguard learning from the market and the tides of popular interest, and ward off coarse appeals to economic utility.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The language of poetry speaks to all our senses, my father meant to say.—
Ilya Kaminsky
August 20,
Literary Hub,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Feel her pain, her fear, and her sense of being stuck.—
Sarah Rex,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Amenities: Indoor pool, spa, bar, fitness center, on-site restaurant, sauna, bike rental Bonus Tip: Guests can glide along the canals aboard the hotel’s classic tea-and-mahogany saloon boat, which dates to 1924.—
Siobhan Reid,
Vogue,
23 Aug. 2025
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The pebbled leather is supple and has a nice texture, but your mouse will glide over it effortlessly.—
Henri Robbins,
Wired News,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Several potential sites have been floated for the Royals: the team’s current spot at Kauffman Stadium, downtown Kansas City, North Kansas City and locations across the state line in Kansas.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
28 Aug. 2025
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About two minutes in, a chunk of Ship's skirt — the basal part near its engine bay — broke apart, sending debris floating into the final frontier.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drift. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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