1
as in ranging
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1
as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
casual conversation drifting from one topic to another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in floating
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
the boat drifted along on the current
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wandering
to move about from place to place aimlessly
spent several years drifting from town to town, picking up odd jobs whenever he needed cash
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifting
Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
Instead, slink slowly down the gentle river on a flat bamboo raft, drifting beneath tropical foliage.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
However, blowing and drifting snow producing significant visibility restrictions will continue above 6000 feet elevation, even during the break in snowfall.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Dozens of competitors will prepare chicken, ribs, brisket, and other Texas staples for judging, so expect a steady stream of smoke and seasoning drifting across the grounds.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
Mechanical issues — notably his center of mass drifting too far forward — may need correction.
—Derek Vanriper, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The maker of specialized software used to design semiconductors had been drifting lower.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
That experience of drifting and searching directly shaped the film’s narrative structure.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
China and Russia have a long and complicated relationship, drifting from allies to bitter rivals during the Cold War before Xi came to power in 2012 and struck up a personal relationship with Putin.
—Alex Wickham, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
But Titan’s drifting orbit is just one of many puzzles that astronomers are trying to solve about Saturn and some of its 274 moons.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
Instead, slink slowly down the gentle river on a flat bamboo raft, drifting beneath tropical foliage.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
However, blowing and drifting snow producing significant visibility restrictions will continue above 6000 feet elevation, even during the break in snowfall.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Dozens of competitors will prepare chicken, ribs, brisket, and other Texas staples for judging, so expect a steady stream of smoke and seasoning drifting across the grounds.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
Mechanical issues — notably his center of mass drifting too far forward — may need correction.
—Derek Vanriper, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The maker of specialized software used to design semiconductors had been drifting lower.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
That experience of drifting and searching directly shaped the film’s narrative structure.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
China and Russia have a long and complicated relationship, drifting from allies to bitter rivals during the Cold War before Xi came to power in 2012 and struck up a personal relationship with Putin.
—Alex Wickham, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Adjective
-
This is surprising for something that is supposed to require less hovering, especially if the host is out of hearing range of the device's alerts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Capital is still flowing, and large asset managers continue to raise funds .—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Eventually, the blood stops flowing entirely, which can result in tissue death and nerve damage—that’s compartment syndrome.—
Claire Maldarelli,
Scientific American,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This mega-ship feels like a floating city built around a magnificent atrium instead of a town square.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
San Diego’s General Dynamics-NASSCO, the last major shipbuilder on the West Coast, has formally introduced its huge new floating dry dock by accepting the amphibious assault ship USS America for repairs and maintenance.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Entrance is free, though a map will cost you about three pesos, so just show up and start wandering the mini walkways.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Think museums with marble floors, historic buildings, and hours spent wandering galleries.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dozens of ghostly, see-through bodies gliding through dark underground water, armed with teeth and claws, completely hidden from the world above.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
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But Hartman set the tone with a gliding layup just three seconds into the game.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On March 7, 1949, researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) were stationed on a boat called the R/V Atlantis that was sailing off the coast of Bermuda.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
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The fleet comprises aging vessels and tankers owned by nontransparent entities with addresses in non-sanctioning countries, and sailing under flags from such countries.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The term mesteño, meaning stray or wild, became, in cowboy-speak, mustang — that legendary, free-roaming denizen of the high plains.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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Given the fact that more than 20 of her rapists are still roaming free, this fame may be double-edged.—
Gaby Wood,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Her rambling answer includes several deep breaths and a pause that has Mike’s mom shaking her head.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026
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The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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