1
as in ranging
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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
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Recent Examples of drifting
Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Ice, blowing and drifting snow has created extremely hazardous road conditions.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
About an inch more accumulation is expected, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph causing blowing and drifting snow.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
With the intuitive Moon drifting through your 12th House of Solitude, relaxation and reflection carry extra value.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
We got spooked after Costco delivered a mixed quarter in December, showing renewal rates drifting lower and a more selective consumer.
—Paulina Likos,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
Saudi geopolitical researcher Salman Al-Ansari rejects claims that Riyadh is drifting ideologically or embracing Islamist movements, framing Saudi policy as interest-driven.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Arda Guler started the season well, either positioned permanently on the right flank or drifting there from the centre, but is on a run of 19 appearances without a goal or an assist.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
As of early January 2026, iceberg A-23A is drifting in the South Atlantic Ocean, between the eastern tip of South America and South Georgia Island.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
To convey the spirit of the moment, John Edwards inverted the photograph, turning the reflection into an illusion where the sky above the Buddha becomes a tapestry of floating flowers and drifting plants.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Ice, blowing and drifting snow has created extremely hazardous road conditions.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
About an inch more accumulation is expected, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph causing blowing and drifting snow.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
With the intuitive Moon drifting through your 12th House of Solitude, relaxation and reflection carry extra value.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
We got spooked after Costco delivered a mixed quarter in December, showing renewal rates drifting lower and a more selective consumer.
—Paulina Likos,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
Saudi geopolitical researcher Salman Al-Ansari rejects claims that Riyadh is drifting ideologically or embracing Islamist movements, framing Saudi policy as interest-driven.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Arda Guler started the season well, either positioned permanently on the right flank or drifting there from the centre, but is on a run of 19 appearances without a goal or an assist.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
As of early January 2026, iceberg A-23A is drifting in the South Atlantic Ocean, between the eastern tip of South America and South Georgia Island.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Verb
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In Paris, Robbie slipped into a custom Chanel couture gown made of luxurious red velvet, with a corseted bodice, bustle, and flowing train—a piece that looks right off the set of the forthcoming film.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
3 Feb. 2026
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New forecasts show a disrupted — and potentially split — polar vortex could keep Arctic air flowing south well into March after a mid-February stratospheric warming event.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And hovering over it all investigations and prosecutions of political enemies.—
James D. Zirin,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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As of press time, prices are hovering around $4,400 per ounce, about double the price just two years ago, drawing the attention of criminal groups looking to abuse the land and the local people for considerable profit.—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In her fifty-seven years of wandering, nobody had messed with her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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In summer, look for grizzlies wandering among the grasslands of the park’s Hayden Valley.—
Laura Kiniry,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With winter in full swing, travelers across the country are heading out for adventures in the snow—from gliding across frozen lakes to chasing fresh powder up the slopes.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
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And make sure the program is gliding toward future success.—
Donna Shalala,
STAT,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Deadpool & Wolverine star went on to detail his brutal injury on his Instagram Story, sharing an X-ray that depicted his collarbone floating above the rest of his shoulder bones.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Feb. 2026
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Authorities released multiple images of the operation, showing packages of the alleged cocaine floating in the sea.—
Stephen Smith,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fifty years of neglect and ignorance has led us to this day when 4,500 homeless individuals are roaming our streets and subways.—
Lucius Riccio,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
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The nonprofit is a free-roaming shelter that has cared for homeless cats and kittens in the Denver area for over 35 years.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Routh then read from a rambling, 20-page statement.—
David Fischer,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
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Also in the village, with lower prices, the June Lake Villager Motel is a rambling property beneath a vintage mid-century sign.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Max Houser 6-Tier Hanging Closet Shelf Instantly create more hanging space with this fabric shelving unit that makes use of otherwise dead vertical space.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Dec. 2025
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Of the other methods – including electrocution, lethal gas and hanging – lethal injection had the highest botch rate of more than 7%. ‘An embrace of brutality’ Still, states have remained averse to the firing squad, a position that experts who spoke to CNN believe stems from its overt violence.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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