1
as in flowing
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 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
1
as in ranging
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifting
Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Even an imperfect north star is better than drifting rudderless.
—Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Warmer water temperatures can decrease the time stone crab babies spend in the larval stage, drifting on currents.
—Bill Kearney, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Shannon shouts, her words drifting back to Jenn in the rear seat.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
But for millions of working families, that dream is drifting further out of reach.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
For anyone who deals with seasonal allergies, dust buildup, or smoke drifting inside, this purifier is designed to make day-to-day air noticeably fresher.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
The org chart becomes clearer as the season progresses, but that also involves both Ken and Esmeralda’s subplots drifting away from the main action.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
If yields are simply drifting higher, then buyers do tend to step in, said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Any cell drifting in the skies is blasted with UV rays and desiccated.
—Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Even an imperfect north star is better than drifting rudderless.
—Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Warmer water temperatures can decrease the time stone crab babies spend in the larval stage, drifting on currents.
—Bill Kearney, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Shannon shouts, her words drifting back to Jenn in the rear seat.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
But for millions of working families, that dream is drifting further out of reach.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
For anyone who deals with seasonal allergies, dust buildup, or smoke drifting inside, this purifier is designed to make day-to-day air noticeably fresher.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
The org chart becomes clearer as the season progresses, but that also involves both Ken and Esmeralda’s subplots drifting away from the main action.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
If yields are simply drifting higher, then buyers do tend to step in, said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Verb
-
Zelensky said Russia is planning two more heavy offensives after three previous attempts failed and that allies must sustain production of drones and electronic warfare systems and keep weapons and funding flowing to support Ukraine.—
Brendan Cole
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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By contrast, the bright SVGA colors, angular hills, flowing waterfalls, and isometric skyscrapers of SimCity 2000 felt, at the time, like the future implied by its title.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No more hovering at the oven door.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
One way or the other, the current mood doesn’t feel sustainable, and the Penguins can’t enter the season with this speculation hovering over their heads.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Caiman was found wandering as a stray and suffering from demodectic mange, a skin infection that left him hairless and pink.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
On the streamer’s biggest hit, Game Changer, a competition show in which the premise changes every episode, Wysocki has managed to nurture intense parasocial bonds with Dropout’s fans by showcasing his personality as a chillass wandering spirit.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sightseeing boats depart regularly from Nyhavn and Gammel Strand, gliding past landmarks such as the Opera House, Christiansborg Palace and the Little Mermaid.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The feeling of gliding through the water, along with the sense of flow and focus, keeps her coming back to the lanes.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
It’s designed to feel like a floating loft at sea, and, if built, will represent a completely new direction for Benetti.—
Katia Damborsky,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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For a longer journey, Johnson is impartial to his Osprey Aether pack for its airscape back panels, floating lids, and signature Fit on the Fly adjustments.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With loneliness on the rise, MindTravel’s roaming piano concerts hope to foster connection, calm, and contemplation.—
Anna Haines,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Notable scavenger hunt locations include visiting the Memorial Union pop-up in Little Madison and finding one of the Milwaukee Brewers mascots roaming throughout the market.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The neutral material keeps it from looking like an eye sore and can be expanded for more hanging space as needed.—
Micaela Arnett,
Rolling Stone,
10 Jan. 2024
Verb
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Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, began cruising out of Florida’s Port Canaveral this April with a passenger capacity of 3,600.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
As of now, the Fishermen are cruising with momentum.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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