1
as in ranging
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drifting
Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The placement of the bite suggests the whale was likely scavenged after death, its body drifting belly-up through ancient seas.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Immediately after his meet-and-greet, Tsunoda hopped into a Ford GT MK IV for a guest on-track demonstration, his first time driving Sonoma’s circuit only months after drifting a Formula 1 car around the streets of San Francisco during a Red Bull Racing show run.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026
Right now, the rings furthest from the planet are disintegrating and drifting into space.
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
When the telescope arrived in the early 1600s, astronomers such as Galileo Galilei, Christoph Scheiner, and Johannes Fabricius turned these instruments toward this nearest star, projected the image onto paper, and saw dark blemishes drifting slowly across the solar surface.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2026
At the same time, dinosaurs have started drifting into spaces traditionally occupied by contemporary art.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026
Flights last about 45 minutes, drifting past peaks and flat tops, over ranchland, wildflower fields, forests and ski slopes.
—Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
After being a pediatrician for over 10 years, Yu wanted to pursue new goals and personal aspirations, drifting naturally toward her interest in skincare and aesthetics.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
Verb
Although Nilsson would likely disagree, her work affirms that all of us are drifting toward oblivion, with the best days of our lives like so much confetti in the wind.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The placement of the bite suggests the whale was likely scavenged after death, its body drifting belly-up through ancient seas.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Immediately after his meet-and-greet, Tsunoda hopped into a Ford GT MK IV for a guest on-track demonstration, his first time driving Sonoma’s circuit only months after drifting a Formula 1 car around the streets of San Francisco during a Red Bull Racing show run.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026
Right now, the rings furthest from the planet are disintegrating and drifting into space.
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
When the telescope arrived in the early 1600s, astronomers such as Galileo Galilei, Christoph Scheiner, and Johannes Fabricius turned these instruments toward this nearest star, projected the image onto paper, and saw dark blemishes drifting slowly across the solar surface.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2026
At the same time, dinosaurs have started drifting into spaces traditionally occupied by contemporary art.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026
Flights last about 45 minutes, drifting past peaks and flat tops, over ranchland, wildflower fields, forests and ski slopes.
—Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
After being a pediatrician for over 10 years, Yu wanted to pursue new goals and personal aspirations, drifting naturally toward her interest in skincare and aesthetics.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Adjective
-
He-Man was now a jolly, quip-ready hero, whose best friends were scaredy-cat Cringer (a green-and-yellow tiger who transformed into Battle Cat), and an annoying, hovering magician called Orko.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
-
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
-
The money keeps flowing into AI infrastructure, which will support the earnings of companies like Dell, HPE, and the chipmakers.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
-
But details aren’t exactly flowing yet.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The hotel has put conservation at its core, visible in a shimmering field of floating solar panels, which I am told is one of the largest arrays in southeast Asia.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The image of James’s paper lantern, let go and floating up into the night sky like a second moon, augurs his eventual fleeing from his family.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Visitors might arrive by crossing the central plaza; emerging from the underground parking garage, nestled into a berm; or else wandering in from the surrounding Jackson Park, a network of pastoral paths completed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1871.—
Sam Cochran,
Architectural Digest,
4 June 2026
-
Check tour lengths in advance and look at what else is on the property — many distilleries sit on historic estates worth wandering for the scenery alone.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
As the train climbs higher, sweeping mountain and valley views unfold on both sides, and in the colder months, skiers and snowboarders can be seen gliding down the slopes below.—
Lauren David,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
Its SpaceShipTwo was to be launched from mother ship WhiteKnightTwo, then rocketed into space at Mach 3 before gliding back.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Among the new lines sailing in Alaska are MSC, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Virgin Voyages.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
The Michigan couple, both US nationals, had been sailing together for more than a decade, documenting their life at sea on social media.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Oh, and kids will love the peacocks roaming the grounds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Populated by roaming peacocks, shaded by pine forests, and ringed by rocky coves overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the island is an easy day trip that blends the island’s natural beauty with plenty of cinematic Game of Thrones lore.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Spinella shucks off sentimentality, always showing us Con’s offhand humor and sometimes nervous, defensive rambling.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
Carnivores shouldn’t miss out on Peter upstairs—a rambling dining venue perched on the 24th floor, high above the rooms, that looks like a glitzy Vegas club complete with purple accents and ethereal, Avatar-esque light sculptures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
