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
Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Ice accumulations may make roads slick, while lighter snow totals will still cause travel difficulties and drifting snow as winds pick up.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Additionally, 65- to 75-mph wind gusts may create hazardous driving conditions due to blowing and drifting snow.
—Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Dark spots or squiggles drifting across your field of vision are called floaters.
—Cathy Nelson, Health, 13 Mar. 2026
As the plane flew over a thick cloud drifting leisurely over the border between New York and Massachusetts, Schaefer dropped all six pounds of the dry ice particles into it.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
After drifting below the $100-per-barrel mark, global benchmark Brent crude is back above that key psychological level.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Tottenham are drifting, and need to find leaders somewhere, or their season will end in the ignominy of a first relegation in 49 years.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The leagues, initially so opposed to legalized sports betting, embraced it to help reverse sliding TV ratings and lure back the younger fans who were drifting away.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Drivers may also experience drifting snow.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Ice accumulations may make roads slick, while lighter snow totals will still cause travel difficulties and drifting snow as winds pick up.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Additionally, 65- to 75-mph wind gusts may create hazardous driving conditions due to blowing and drifting snow.
—Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Dark spots or squiggles drifting across your field of vision are called floaters.
—Cathy Nelson, Health, 13 Mar. 2026
As the plane flew over a thick cloud drifting leisurely over the border between New York and Massachusetts, Schaefer dropped all six pounds of the dry ice particles into it.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
After drifting below the $100-per-barrel mark, global benchmark Brent crude is back above that key psychological level.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Tottenham are drifting, and need to find leaders somewhere, or their season will end in the ignominy of a first relegation in 49 years.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The leagues, initially so opposed to legalized sports betting, embraced it to help reverse sliding TV ratings and lure back the younger fans who were drifting away.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 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
-
This time, disruptions to shipping routes are interrupting those flows and that reduces the amount of money flowing back into financial markets, removing a key source of cash flows, the bank noted.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
-
As the drugs started flowing, King began breathing heavily, his body twitching.—
DAVID FISCHER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jellyfish are on display in every room, floating along in illuminated aquariums.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The underwater egg hunt will include floating and sunken eggs in the shallow end of the pool for participants in their age groups to collect and then turn in for prizes.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For a club that spent its early MLS years wandering through mediocrity, Pareja became the steady hand that finally made Orlando City a consistent contender.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
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But instead, the young bride was wandering the streets of London in the June heat, frustrated and distraught.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With Luna gliding into your ever-practical 6th house, you may be tempted to ignore your inner needs in favor of getting as much done as possible.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
For Belinsky, the game still delivers the same rush — the feeling of gliding across the ice, the satisfaction of a clean shot, the bite of cold air filling his lungs.—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Tripoli was spotted by commercial satellites sailing alone near Taiwan, putting it more than a week away from the waters off Iran.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Obama visited the island, shook hands with Raúl Castro, celebrities were vacationing in Havana, international artists hosted concerts and cruise ships even started sailing from Miami to Havana.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the vast landscape spread out below, filled with roaming herds and golden hues, our guest popped the question—creating a moment both magical and unforgettable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
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By the time glacial ice from the era receded and temperatures warmed enough for the ectotherms, Ireland had broken off from the European continent and was inaccessible to roaming reptiles.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Her conversation was rambling and fascinating.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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